System and method for detection of a contaminated beverage

ABSTRACT

An apparatus may be configured to test a beverage, the apparatus may include but is not limited to, a beverage container that may be configured to hold a beverage, wherein the beverage container may include a material. An indicator may be chemically bonded to at least a portion of the material of the beverage container, wherein at least the portion of the material of the beverage container may include the indicator, wherein the indicator may be associated with at least part of a brand profile to identify a brand of the beverage, wherein the indicator may visibly react when the indicator is contacted with the beverage to show whether the beverage may be identified as the brand of the beverage, and wherein the visible reaction may be shown on at least the portion of the material of the beverage container via the indicator chemically bonded to at least the portion of the material of the beverage container.

RELATED CASES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/951,846 filed on Mar. 12, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/922,332 filed on Dec. 31, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/919,102 filed on Dec. 20, 2013; and this application is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/535,446filed on Nov. 7, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/204,708 filed on Aug. 7, 2011, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/977,009filed on Dec. 22, 2010 by Michael T. Abramson, titled SYSTEM AND METHODFOR DETECTION OF A CONTAMINATED BEVERAGE, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Commonly known as “date rape”, the sexual assault generally occurs whilethe victim is incapacitated due to unknowingly imbibing chemicalsubstances (e.g., drugs) surreptitiously placed in the victim's beverageby an assailant. Some common drugs associated with date rape are, e.g.,Rohypnol, Ketamine, GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate), GBL (GammaButyrolactone), and 1,4-butanediol. Once ingested, the chemicals may actrapidly in the human body, often within 20 minutes, causing physical andpsychological symptoms such as disinhibition, muscle relaxation,passivity, and loss of will to resist an assailant.

There are known techniques for detecting when a victim has ingested suchdrugs. For example, one example technique appears to describe a systemfor simultaneous analysis of GHB and its precursors in urine usingliquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Though this and similartechniques may be effective, an example disadvantage is that they arenot practical for non-professionals, and they require expensiveequipment. Another example disadvantage is the reactive nature of thetest, meaning the system is testing the urine, thus the drugs havealready been ingested and the victim may have already been assaultedbefore testing is even contemplated.

Other testing devices may provide a more immediate and proactiveapproach through early detection. For example, some testing devicesappear to disclose a test apparatus utilized by the user at the site andtime of beverage consumption. A portion of the beverage apparently mustfirst be captured by the user and drawn into an analysis chamber wherethe beverage is subjected to a chemical reagent composition, where theresults of a color assay are viewable. That is, a color change mayindicate a drug has been placed in the beverage.

Other testing devices may use the proactive techniques, but also providediscretion when testing a beverage for contamination. For example, anexample testing device appears to show a testing material that a usermay utilize to test the beverage. The testing material appears to bepart of an entirely separate component which itself apparently must thenbe connected to a beverage container.

A more discrete testing apparatus may be used. Hiding the test stripsallows the user to test the beverage without embarrassment by onlookers.For example, discrete testing devices may describe camouflaging and/orhiding individual drug testing strips in such things as a cocktailnapkin, a beverage coaster, a placemat, a menu, a match book, a drinkcarrier (e.g., used to carry multiple drinks at once), a flyer, acoupon, and even a business card. As another example, the testingapparatus may be camouflaged as a drinking straw. The disguised drinkingstraw appears only to function as a test device and not as an actualstraw. Yet another example may include a separate floating device in abeverage where the testing material is located. To test the beverage,the user apparently must first remove a sample of the beverage and placeit on the test portion of the device.

However, the above (and other example devices) may suffer from numerousexample and non-limiting disadvantages. For example, regardless of howquick a test result is determined, or how discreetly a testing apparatusmay be hidden, the responsibility to carry the testing apparatus ononeself may be burdensome and may rest solely on the user. Moreover,even if a beverage has been tested at time T1, there is no assurancethat the beverage subsequently has not been contaminated at time T2.Thus, there may be an additional requirement for the user tocontinuously test and re-test the beverage and to have the user bringenough testing material to do so. Testing and re-testing the beveragemay not only be a hassle, but remembering to do so may become moredifficult as time progresses (e.g., due to increased alcoholconsumption). Additionally, as more alcohol is consumed, a user may beless able to distinguish between the normal effect of an alcoholicbeverage and the effect of a contaminated alcoholic beverage.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure may overcome one or more of the exampledisadvantages by providing a system and method for detection of acontaminated beverage, e.g., by using the beverage container itself(e.g., a drinking cup) as a testing material. For example, in oneembodiment, the portion of the beverage container which is used to holdor otherwise contact the beverage during regular use may also be thetesting material that may visibly alert, signal, or otherwise react whencontacted with a drug that is mixed in the beverage (e.g., Rohypnol,Ketamine, GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate), GBL (Gamma Butyrolactone),1,4-butanediol, etc.). The reaction, e.g., color change, may thenrapidly alert the user that the beverage in the beverage container iscontaminated before too much, if any, of the contaminated beverage hasbeen consumed.

In another example embodiment, the testing material of the beveragecontainer may be coated or lined with a film (e.g., wax). For example,if the testing material is part of the inside of the beverage container,the wax film may prevent the beverage contained within the beveragecontainer from immediately contacting and reacting with the testingmaterial. Thus, should the user desire to test the beverage forcontaminants, the user need only, e.g., “scratch” away or otherwiseremove the protective wax lining, thereby exposing the newly revealedtesting material inside the beverage container to any potentialcontaminants in the beverage held in the beverage container. In such anembodiment, the beverage container advantageously provides multiplelocations for individual testing by scratching away the wax film fromdifferent locations as desired. In alternative embodiments, the waxlining may be a type of semi permeable membrane or other similarmaterial used to provide a delay from when the beverage is placed in thebeverage container and when the beverage and any contaminants mixedtherein eventually permeate through the lining to make contact with thetesting material where a reaction may be seen. Thus, it may be possiblethat little or no action is required by the user to test or re-test thebeverage.

Advantageously, for example, by using the beverage container itself asthe testing material, the user may be provided with an effortless ornear effortless and continuous monitoring of the beverage within thebeverage container without such example burdens that may be required byother systems, such as, inter alia, remembering to bring a testing kit(disguised or otherwise) with a sufficient number of testing strips,remembering to test the beverage, and/or remembering to re-test thebeverage at different times. As another example advantage, even if theuser cannot distinguish between the effect of the alcohol and the effectof ingesting a contaminated beverage, other onlookers may still noticethe reaction of the beverage container (e.g., the testing material) andprovide a warning to the user.

In one example implementation, an apparatus configured to test abeverage may include but is not limited to, a beverage container thatmay be configured to hold a beverage, wherein the beverage container mayinclude a material. An indicator may be chemically bonded to at least aportion of the material of the beverage container, wherein at least theportion of the material of the beverage container may include theindicator, wherein the indicator may be associated with a brand profileto identify a brand of the beverage, wherein the indicator may visiblyreact when the indicator is contacted with the beverage to show whetherthe beverage may be identified as the brand of the beverage, and whereinthe visible reaction may be shown on at least the portion of thematerial of the beverage container via the indicator chemically bondedto at least the portion of the material of the beverage container.

One or more of the following example features may be included. Theindicator may visibly react when the indicator is at least one ofcontacted with a substance in the beverage included in the brand profileand contacted with the beverage lacking the substance in the beverageincluded in the brand profile. At least the portion of the material ofthe beverage container may include a film, and wherein the film mayinclude the chemically bonded indicator. The brand profile may include athreshold level of an alcohol to show whether the beverage may beidentified as the brand of the beverage. The brand profile may includeat least one congener to show whether the beverage is identified as thebrand of the beverage. The at least one congener may include a substanceother than ethanol alcohol produced during at least one of fermentationand distillation of the beverage. The brand profile may include athreshold level of the at least one congener to show whether thebeverage may be identified as the brand of the beverage. The beveragecontainer may include at least one of a cup, a glass, a mug, a can, anda bottle. The brand profile may include a level of oxidation to show atleast one of whether the beverage is identified as the brand of thebeverage and quality of the beverage.

In another example implementation, a method for producing an apparatusconfigured to test a beverage may include but is not limited toselecting an indicator that may show a visible reaction when contactedwith a substance in the beverage. The selected indicator may beintroduced, by chemical bonding, to at least a portion of a beveragecontainer, wherein the indicator may be at least part of a brand profileto identify a brand of the beverage, wherein the indicator may visiblyreact when the indicator is contacted with the substance to show whetherthe beverage may be identified as the brand of the beverage, and whereinthe visible reaction may be shown on at least the portion of thematerial of the beverage container via the indicator chemically bondedto at least the portion of the material of the beverage container.

One or more of the following example features may be included. Theselected indicator may be patterned on at least the portion of thebeverage container. Introducing the selected indicator to at least theportion of the beverage container by chemical bonding may include atleast one spraying, dipping, rolling, stamping, printing, andevaporating. Introducing the selected indicator to at least the portionof the beverage container by chemical bonding may include applying afilm to at least the portion of the beverage container, wherein the filmmay include the chemically bonded indicator.

In another example implementation, an apparatus configured to test abeverage may include but is not limited to a beverage containerconfigured to hold a beverage, wherein the beverage container mayinclude a material. An indicator may be chemically bonded to at least aportion of the material of the beverage container, wherein the indicatormay visibly react when the indicator is contacted with3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol to indicate the 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol maybe present in the beverage, wherein at least the portion of the materialof the beverage container may include the indicator, and wherein thevisible reaction may be shown on at least the portion of the material ofthe beverage container via the indicator chemically bonded to at leastthe portion of the material of the beverage container.

One or more of the following example features may be included. A secondindicator may be chemically bonded to at least a second portion of thematerial of the beverage container, wherein the second indicator mayvisibly react according to a level of oxidation of the beverage. Atleast the portion of the material of the beverage container may includea film, and wherein the film includes the chemically bonded indicator.The beverage container may include at least one of a cup, a glass, amug, a can, and a bottle. The beverage may include beer.

In another example implementation, a method for producing an apparatusconfigured to test a beverage may include but is not limited toselecting an indicator that may show a visible reaction when contactedwith a substance in the beverage. The selected indicator may beintroduced, by chemical bonding, to at least a portion of a beveragecontainer, wherein the substance includes 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,wherein the indicator may visibly react when the indicator is contactedwith the 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol to indicate the3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol may be present in the beverage, wherein atleast the portion of the material of the beverage container may includethe indicator, and wherein the visible reaction may be shown on at leastthe portion of the material of the beverage container via the indicatorchemically bonded to at least the portion of the material of thebeverage container.

One or more of the following example features may be included. Theselected indicator may be patterned on at least the portion of thebeverage container. Introducing the selected indicator to at least theportion of the beverage container by chemical bonding may include atleast one spraying, dipping, rolling, stamping, printing, andevaporating. Introducing the selected indicator to at least the portionof the beverage container by chemical bonding may include applying afilm to at least the portion of the beverage container, wherein the filmmay include the chemically bonded indicator.

In another example implementation, an apparatus configured to test abeverage may include but is not limited to a beverage containerconfigured to hold a beverage, wherein the beverage container mayinclude a material. An indicator may be chemically bonded to at least aportion of the material of the beverage container, wherein the indicatormay visibly react when the indicator is contacted with the beverage toindicate a level of oxidation present in the beverage, wherein at leastthe portion of the material of the beverage container may include theindicator, and wherein the visible reaction may be shown on at least theportion of the material of the beverage container via the indicatorchemically bonded to at least the portion of the material of thebeverage container.

One or more of the following example features may be included. A secondindicator may be chemically bonded to at least a second portion of thematerial of the beverage container, wherein the second indicator mayvisibly react when the second indicator is contacted with a substance toindicate that the substance is present in the beverage, wherein thesubstance may include at least one of 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol,trichloroanisole, brettanomyces, acetic acid bacteria, and sulfurcompounds. At least the portion of the material of the beveragecontainer may include a film, and wherein the film may include thechemically bonded indicator. The beverage may include beer. The beveragecontainer may include at least one of a cup, a glass, a mug, a can, anda bottle. The beverage container may include a can, and where-in atleast the portion of the material of the beverage container may includeat least a top portion of the can.

In another example implementation, a method for producing an apparatusconfigured to test a beverage may include but is not limited toselecting an indicator that may show a visible reaction when contactedwith the beverage. The selected indicator may be introduced, by chemicalbonding, to at least a portion of a beverage container, wherein theindicator may visibly react when the indicator is contacted with thebeverage to indicate a level of oxidation present in the beverage,wherein at least the portion of the material of the beverage containermay include the indicator, and wherein the visible reaction may be shownon at least the portion of the material of the beverage container viathe indicator chemically bonded to at least the portion of the materialof the beverage container.

One or more of the following example features may be included. Theselected indicator may be patterned on at least the portion of thebeverage container. Introducing the selected indicator to at least theportion of the beverage container by chemical bonding may include atleast one spraying, dipping, rolling, stamping, printing, andevaporating. Introducing the selected indicator to at least the portionof the beverage container by chemical bonding may include applying afilm to at least the portion of the beverage container, wherein the filmmay include the chemically bonded indicator.

The details of one or more example implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of the disclosure may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicateidentically or functionally similar elements, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 a is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer with a protective film that may be used in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 b is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer with a protective film that may be used in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 c is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer with a section of protective film removed that may be used inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 d is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer with a section of protective film removed that may be used inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer with a protective film that may be used in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 a is an illustrative procedure for using the beverage containerin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 b is an illustrative procedure for using the beverage containerin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 a is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative portion of abeverage container that may be used in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 b is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative portion of abeverage container that may be used in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer that may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative material of abeverage container that may be used in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing exampletechniques/procedures for preparing one or more materials with attachedindicators that may be used in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer that may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer that may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer that may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer that may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing an exampletechnique/procedure for attaching indicators to the surface of abeverage container that may be used in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing an example SAM on amaterial that may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram showing an example immunoassayindicator that may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram showing an example MolecularlyImprinted Polymer indicator that may be used in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram showing example beverage containersthat may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Testing

As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are well knowntechniques and testing materials that may be used to detect the presenceof (e.g., drugs) in a liquid, e.g., placed in a beverage by a person.For example, as noted above, a device or testing strip may comprise oneor more reagent indicators deposited on an absorptive carrier (e.g.,filtration paper). Different reagent indicators may be used fordetecting different drugs. For example, flunitrazepam, which is commonlyknown as Rohypnol or “Ruffles”, is a member of a class of compoundsknown as benzodiazepines. A reaction with Zimmermann's reagent, or areaction with a platinum/potassium iodide test system, for example, canillustratively detect this class of compound. 4-Hydroxybutanoic acid,also known as gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB), is a commonly knownanesthetic. GHB can illustratively be identified in a reaction systemwith, e.g., bromo cresol purple. Ketamine is another anesthetic whichcan illustratively be identified using, e.g., cobalt thiocyanate. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that other reagent indicators (or anyother types of indicators including but not limited to immunoassays,antibodies, membrane/non-membrane receptors, and others discussedthroughout, etc.) suitable for testing a beverage (or any otheringestible/non-ingestible item) are also contemplated for these drugsand different drugs and/or substances. As such, the reagent indicatorsdescribed are example only and should not be taken to limit the scope ofthe disclosure.

In some testing systems, visual indications from the testing material(e.g., the reagent) may be observed when a drug is detected. One type ofvisual indicator may be color change. For example, if a sample of abeverage is introduced to a testing area with the reagent, a colorchange from white to a violet/purple color may be observed at thereagent within 30 seconds or less if Rohypnol is present in the sample.If a violet/purple color is not observed within 30 seconds, the beverageanalysis may be considered negative for Rohypnol. As another example, ifthe sample is introduced to a testing area with a reagent to detect GHB,a color change from white to a yellow/orange color may appear within 30seconds or less if GHB is not present in the sample. However, if GHB ispresent, a purple/black color may appear within 30 seconds or less. Inan embodiment, any color change would appear in response to detectingthe presence of a drug, rather than having a color change appear inresponse to detecting that the drug is not present. While not required,the example embodiment may be helpful to avoid confusion, for example,should the user forget what each color indicates.

Notably, while some examples of reagents and tests are described, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that other reagents, tests, colorcombinations, calorimetric indicators, etc., for similar and/or otherdrug types may be well known in the art and may be used with embodimentsof the present disclosure without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe disclosure. As such, the described detection methods and devices(e.g., color combinations, test strips, particular reagents, etc.) orother functional equivalents that have similar properties (e.g., capableof carrying out none, some or all the example objectives of thedisclosure) are contemplated. Accordingly, the specific testingmaterials described should be taken as example only and not to limit thescope of the disclosure.

Beverage Container

The present disclosure overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art byproviding a system and method for detection of a contaminated beverage,e.g., using the beverage container itself as a testing material. Thatis, at least a portion of the beverage container itself is the testingmaterial. For example, in one embodiment, the inside of the beveragecontainer itself is not only the surroundings of the beverage containerthat holds the beverage, but the inside of the beverage container itselfis also the testing material that may react when contacted with amixture of the beverage and a drug placed in the beverage by a person,such as Rohypnol, Ketamine, GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate), GBL (GammaButyrolactone), 1,4-butanediol, etc. Using the beverage container as thetesting material illustratively may be implemented in some embodimentsby (i) removing and then replacing a portion of the beverage containerwith the testing material, (ii) directly attaching the testing materialto a portion of the beverage container (with or without removing theportion), or (iii) any combination thereof. The reaction of the testingmaterial, e.g., color change of the beverage container, may then rapidlyalert or signal to the user that the beverage in the beverage containeris contaminated before too much, if any, of the contaminated beveragehas been consumed.

According to one embodiment, only select portions of the beveragecontainer, such as the rim or the inside/outside of the beveragecontainer, are lined with the testing material. However, the entirety ofthe beverage container may also be lined with the testing material.Moreover, it is contemplated that the entirety of the beverage containercould be configured as the testing material shaped as the beveragecontainer in an alternative embodiment. In the latter embodiment, it maybe necessary to fortify the testing material so as to enable the testingmaterial to act as a beverage container (e.g., to prevent leakingthrough the testing material). The film described in greater detailbelow may be used to fortify the testing material. However, otherconventional techniques similar to those used on conventional paper orcardboard beverage containers described below may also be used and arewell known in the art.

Advantageously, by using the beverage container itself as the testingmaterial (e.g., where the beverage container functions as both abeverage container and as the testing material), the user is providedwith a (near) effortless and continuous monitoring of the beveragewithin the beverage container without such illustrative burdens requiredby the prior art, such as, inter alia, remembering to bring a testingkit (disguised or otherwise) with a sufficient number of testing strips,remembering to test the beverage, and remembering to re-test thebeverage at different times. As another advantage, even if the usercannot distinguish between the effect of an alcoholic beverage and theeffect of ingesting a contaminated alcoholic beverage, other onlookersmay still notice the reaction of the beverage container and provide awarning to the user. Additionally, the testing material of the beveragecontainer (e.g., any unused portions) may also be used to test otherbeverages of different users, such as an acquaintance that may not be inpossession of either the disclosed beverage container or their owntests.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer 100 that may be used in accordance with the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the term “beverage container” is defined asany conventional container configured to hold a consumable beverage(e.g., soda, water, beer, etc.) from which a user would drink, such as acup (e.g., disposable, reusable, paper, plastic, etc.), a glass, a mug,a can (e.g., an aluminum can), a bottle (e.g., a soda bottle), etc.Illustratively, in an example embodiment, the beverage container may bedisposable, such as the kind sold by Solo® Cup Company headquartered inLake Forest, Ill. The beverage container may comprise a base 110 (e.g.,a lower portion), an upper portion which may comprise a rim 120, asidewall 112, and testing material 130. The testing materialillustratively may be affixed to the beverage container using anadhesive or other similar material which is well known in the art;however, any suitable material may be used. In an alternativeembodiment, a portion of the beverage container 100 may be removed 135and then replaced with the testing material (e.g., by directly attachingthe testing material to the removed portion using an adhesive). Asidewall 112 with an inner surface and an outer surface may extend fromthe base to the upper portion. According to one embodiment, the testingmaterial 130 is at least a portion of the beverage container 100 (e.g.,the inner surface of the beverage container's base 110 and/or the rim120, and/or the sidewall 112 as indicated by the dashed lines). This maybe further illustrated in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b where the testing material630 is shown as the inner wall surface 615. However, the testingmaterial may also be the outer surface of the beverage container or anyother portion of the beverage container. However, it is likely that theuser may have to be more proactive about testing if the testing materialis on the outside of the sidewall, since in some embodiments, theoutside wall does not contact the testing material without help from theuser. Nonetheless, this situation may be obviated if the testingmaterial is placed on the outer portion of the sidewall where some ofthat portion has been removed 135. Any descriptions or illustrationsused throughout where the testing material is a specific portion of thebeverage container (e.g., the inner surface of the sidewall) should betaken as example only.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, thetesting material 130 lining the beverage container 100 remains a singlecolor (e.g., white) as a default base color when no illicit drugs, suchas those noted above, are detected. As can be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art, any other color (including clear or transparent) maybe used as the default base color. Preferably, the base color is onethat will be readily noticeable to the user or other onlookers if thebase color should change, even if the user is in a dimly lit area, suchas a dance club or a bar. For example, if the beverage container iswhite, then a positive drug detection color of black may be easier tonotice. As can be appreciated, the use of a clear or transparentbeverage container may be easier for the user (or an onlooker) to see acolor change of the testing material (e.g., the beverage container) thana less transparent beverage container. Advantageously, because theillustrative embodiments of the beverage container functionally are alsothe testing material, should a drug be introduced to the (alcoholic ornon-alcoholic) beverage in the beverage container, the testing material130 located in the base 110, the rim 120, or the sidewall 112, willautomatically (e.g., without a requirement for the user to do anythingif the beverage is in the beverage container) contact the beverage andchange color to alert the user of the contamination with minimal action,if any, required by the user. This is advantageous as there is little orno need for the user to actively test or re-test the beverage beforebeing warned about the contamination. Thus, the user may be alertedbefore too much, if any, of the contaminated beverage has been consumed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer 200 that may be used in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The beverage container may comprise a base 210, a rim 220, asidewall 212, and a testing material 230. According to one embodiment,the testing material may be part of the inner/outer lining of thebeverage container's base 210, sidewall, or rim 220, as indicated by thedashed lines. According to yet another embodiment, the testing material230 lining the beverage container may be divided up into differentsections (e.g., drug/section 1-4). Each section may comprise a distincttesting material specific to an individual drug. For example,drug/section 232 may be configured to detect GHB, while drug/section 234may be configured to detect GBL. Accordingly, not only may the user beable to discern that a drug has been introduced to their beverage, butalso which drug. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that more orless drug/sections may be used. Those skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that the drug/sections may be divided other ways besidesvertically in any direction or pattern (e.g., horizontal, diagonal,shapes, symbols, letters/words, etc.). Thus, the use of only foursections and in any particular configuration should be taken as anexample only. In an example embodiment, the sections are organizedvertically so that the beverage is capable of drug detection regardlessof the level of beverage within the beverage container.

In an alternative embodiment, the beverage container 200 may alsocomprise separate and specific indicators, such as indicator(s) 240. Forexample, when a particular drug/section detects a drug, the indicator240 may give an additional warning by changing color on the inside ofthe beverage container and/or on the outside of the beverage container.Illustratively, this may be accomplished by creating a clear ortransparent section specifically for indicators 240, resulting in adistinguishable or otherwise dramatic contrast between the outside ofthe beverage container (e.g., red) and the indicator 240 (e.g., black).Alternatively, this may be accomplished using a more absorptive testingmaterial that is capable of delivering a sample of the beverage up tothe indicators 240.

FIG. 3 a is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer 300 with a protective film that may advantageously be used inaccordance with the present disclosure. According to one or moreillustrative embodiments of the disclosure, the testing material may becoated or coupled with a film (e.g., wax) 340. The wax film may slow orfully prevent the beverage contained within the beverage container fromcontacting and reacting with the testing material 330 lined, forexample, within the inner surface of the base 310 (e.g., lower portion)of the beverage container, the sidewall 312, and/or the rim 320. Thefilm may illustratively comprise a porous substance or other semipermeable material (e.g., membrane) that, over time (e.g., 5 minutes),allows the beverage in the beverage container to pass through the filmto contact and react with the testing material. Notably, regardless ofhow long it takes the beverage to reach the testing material, the timerequired to notice a reaction (e.g., a color change if the drug ispresent) may depend on the amount of the beverage relative to theconcentration of the drug that is present. According to an alternativeembodiment of the disclosure, as noted above, the testing materialillustratively may be affixed, united, or otherwise secured to thebeverage container using an adhesive, glue, epoxy, or other functionalequivalent that has similar properties, before the protective film isapplied; however, it is contemplated that the protective film itself maybe used in place of or in addition to the adhesive to affix or otherwisesecure the testing material to the beverage container. However, anysuitable technique or material used to secure the testing material tothe beverage container or otherwise make the material of the beveragecontainer comprise the testing material may also be used withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, inan alternative embodiment, a portion of the beverage container 300 maybe removed 335 and then replaced with the testing material (e.g., bydirectly attaching the testing material over the removed portion securedto a non-removed portion 136). In the latter embodiment, it may bebeneficial to apply another coating of a liquid resistant wax on theouter most side of the testing material to prevent dripping.Alternatively, a window 337 may be placed over the outer most side ofthe removed section.

Examples of different wax types and techniques for coating beveragecontainers are very well known in the art. For example, one exampletechnique may involve directing a relatively narrow spray band ofatomized wax towards the interior surfaces of the containers. Mathesongoes on to describe that the spray band is volumetrically asymmetricaland is oriented relative to the interior surfaces of the container suchthat its volumetric asymmetry is directed towards the bottomcircumferential seam between a tubular sidewall and bottom wall of thecontainers. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that anysuitable technique for applying the wax (or other material) to one ormore illustrative embodiments of beverage container may be employedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

While some examples of the disclosure are discussed using a wax film,those skilled in the art will appreciate that other protective film orcoating material may be used. For example, a thermoplastic polymericmaterial, such as polyethylene, may also be used. Yet another examplemay be the use of biopolymers, which may generally be described aspolymers produced by living organisms. Cellulose, starch, chitin,proteins, and peptides are some examples of biopolymers. Another exampleof a biopolymer is zein, which is alternatively used as a coating forvarious foods, such as fruit, to slow the aging process produced bywater evaporation. Zein has a number of characteristics that may bevaluable for use in the present disclosure. For instance, zein is anatural film-forming polymer, which may provide some of the describedresistance to water or other liquid penetration. Zein is also typicallynon-allergenic and edible. It is also classified as “GRAS” (generallyrecognized as safe) by the FDA. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat other types of biopolymers or other suitable material capable ofcarrying out the objectives of the disclosure may also be used withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Forexample, M14-TS, which is well known to those skilled in the art as awater ammonia solution of shellac mixed with Carnauba emulsion and addedinerts may also be used.

As will be discussed in greater detail with regard to FIG. 3 c, thelining may be removed by the user to expose the testing material to thebeverage. As such, another example of the lining material may also besimilar to “scratch-off” lottery game pieces. As such, the use of a wax,biopolymer, etc. as the film or coating should not be considered tolimit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that any suitable material (e.g., fluid-impervious orsemi-fluid impervious characteristics or functional equivalent that hassimilar properties) is contemplated that may prevent the beveragecontained within the beverage container from immediately contacting andreacting with the testing material of the beverage container (e.g.,which may subsequently be readily (e.g., without much difficulty)removed by the user).

In another embodiment, as seen from FIG. 3 b, there may be differenttypes of wax film materials each covering a particular section of thetesting material, thereby allowing for varying times when the beveragemay pass through the film to the testing material, e.g., depending onthe type and thickness of film used. For instance, one section 332 ofthe testing material may be generally protected (e.g., covered) by amore porous or semi permeable film material that may allow the beveragein the beverage container to pass through the film to the testingmaterial 330 quicker than another section 334 of the testing material330 that is generally protected by a less porous film material. As such,the beverage container would first “automatically” (e.g., without a needfor the user to do anything once the beverage is in the beveragecontainer) “self-test” the beverage at section 332 at a firstpredetermined time and then “automatically” self “re-test” the beverageat section 334 at a second predetermined time according to how much lessporous the film is at each respective section. As can be appreciated bythose skilled in the art, other factors in addition to how porous thefilm is, such as temperature, surface area to volume ratio, etc., mayalso affect the rate at which the beverage may pass though the film tothe testing material. Illustratively, each section may be capable oftesting the same drugs (e.g., X, Y, Z), thus, each drug (e.g., X, Y, Z)may be covered by the “re-test” at each section. While only twodifferent rates (e.g., a quicker and a slower rate) are described, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that any number of different sections336 and 338 (and different rates) may be used either separately orsimultaneously depending on the different types of film used. Thus, theuse of only two different rates (for two different types of film) is anexample and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

In alternative embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6 b, multipleapplications (e.g., layers/coatings, 615, 617, etc.) of the same filmmaterial may be applied to a particular section to achieve the desiredresult of varying (e.g., slowing) the rate that the beverage in thebeverage container, and therefore any drug mixed in the beverage, willpass through the film to contact the testing material. It is alsocontemplated that different wax types may also be applied to the samesection to vary the rate. Thus, other similar methods or combinationsthereof to slow or increase the rate at which the beverage in thebeverage container will contact the testing material may also be usedwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Advantageously, because each section may have a known estimated time forwhen the beverage may pass though the film, it may be possible todiscern an approximate time when a drug was placed in the beveragecontainer. For example, assume a first section 332 of the beveragecontainer is estimated to allow the beverage to pass though the film inabout 10 minutes. Further assume that a second section 334 of thebeverage container is estimated to allow the beverage to pass though thefilm in about 20 minutes. Further assume that once the testing materialat the first section 332 is initially exposed to an uncontaminatedbeverage for more than, e.g., a couple minutes, then that testingmaterial for section 332 may no longer be able to react (e.g., changecolor) even if subsequently exposed to a contaminate, since thereagent(s) in the testing material may be too diluted/saturated. Thus,in the example, if the first section 332 does not show a reaction, butthe second section 334 does show a reaction, then it is likely that thebeverage was contaminated sometime between the 10 minute period and the20 minute period. Therefore, by comparing (i) the section which doesshow a reaction to (ii) the previous section that does not show areaction, it may be possible to discern an approximate time when a drugwas placed in the beverage container. This may aid in determining whodrugged the beverage (e.g., who had access to the beverage within the 10minute time span).

FIG. 3 c is a schematic block diagram of the illustrative beveragecontainer 300 similar to that of FIG. 3 a with at least one section ofprotective film removed 350 that may be used in accordance with thepresent disclosure. In one embodiment, the user may be required toactively remove the wax lining 350 before the beverage will be exposedto the testing material. However, in an alternative embodiment, shouldthe user desire to test the beverage for contaminants at an earlier timerather than waiting for the beverage to pass through the film 350 (asdiscussed with regard to FIG. 3 b), the user may instead choose to,e.g., “scratch” away or otherwise remove the wax lining, therebyenabling the user to more immediately expose the beverage to the newlyrevealed testing material. By enabling the user to selectively removeportion(s) of the film as desired, the beverage container advantageouslyprovides multiple locations for individual test sites and at differenttimes. For example, the user may remove the wax lining (e.g., upper leftportion) in the rim 320 at T1. If the testing material shows thebeverage is not contaminated, the user may continue drinking thebeverage. However, if the user begins to feel strange and questionswhether or not the beverage has been contaminated, the user maysubsequently remove the wax lining (e.g., upper right portion) in therim 320 at T2. As noted above, using substances such as zein as the filmmay be beneficial as it is non-allergenic and edible. Thus, there may beno known consequence if the user were to accidentally scratch the filminto the beverage and ingest it.

Advantageously, according to one embodiment, any remaining area of waxfilm coating the testing material may be an area capable of being usedto test the beverage. That is, any area where the wax has not beenremoved is illustratively a viable area to test the beverage regardlessof any previous tests conducted at other locations. As can beappreciated by those skilled in the art, the viability of using an areawhere the film has not yet been removed may depend on different factors,such as whether the beverage sampled through the removed portion of thefilm may “leak” to the testing material under the film that has not yetbeen removed. One example embodiment to protect against “leaking” may beto have the testing material separated by areas of non-testing materialthat may be used to prevent or otherwise curtail the undesired migrationof the beverage entering from the removed portion of the film. Forexample, sections 332 and 336 may have film covering testing material,whereas sections 334 and 338 may comprise non-testing material used as a“bumper” to prevent the beverage from crossing sections. However,allowing such cross section leaking may be beneficial for other reasons,such as an alternative way to distribute the beverage in the beveragecontainer throughout to other portions of the testing material withoutfurther effort by the user, or as a way to maintain samples of thebeverage for later use (e.g., evidence in a police investigation).

FIG. 3 d is a schematic block diagram of the illustrative beveragecontainer 300 similar to that of FIG. 3 c with at least one section ofprotective film removed that may be used in accordance with the presentdisclosure. According to one embodiment, assume that the beverage in thebeverage container has been contaminated with, e.g., GHB. As noted abovein FIG. 3 c, the section(s) of protective film have been removed 350,for example, by the user to test the beverage for contamination. As aresult of removing the wax film from locations of the beveragecontainer, those corresponding areas of testing material 330 are nowexposed 360 to the beverage in the beverage container and thereforeexposed to the GHB. As such, to alert the user of the contamination, theexposed area of test material 360 may display a visual alert (e.g.,color change, pattern, shapes, symbols, letters/words, etc.). Notably,as discussed above with regard to FIG. 3 c, only the exposed area oftest material 360 is affected (e.g., visually) since only those areashave the film removed, thereby exposing the testing material to the GHBin the beverage. However, the beverage may enter through any of theexposed areas to other portions of unexposed testing material, therebyproviding the visual affect to those areas in addition to the exposedareas.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer 400 with a protective film that may be used in accordance withthe present disclosure. According to one embodiment, the beveragecontainer may be a can (e.g., aluminum can) such as the kind typicallyused to hold soda, beer, and other beverages. The beverage containerillustratively comprises drug testing material in various locations. Forexample, the testing material (e.g., exposed/unexposed 460/470respectively) may be directly affixed to at least any top portion of thebeverage container, or alternatively, on the outer sidewall. Some of thebeverage may tend to pool on that surface (e.g., the “sunken” perimeterportion of the top of the can) as a result of the motions involved whiledrinking from the beverage container. Thus, it may be less cumbersomefor the user to test the beverage by using the portions of the beveragealready pooled on the top, for example, in an embodiment where thebeverage container is a closed top beverage container.

According to another illustrative embodiment, assume that the beveragein the beverage container 400 has been contaminated with, e.g.,Rohypnol. Similarly to FIG. 3 c, some section(s) of protective film havebeen removed (e.g., exposed area of test material 460), for example, bythe user to test the beverage held by the beverage container. On theother hand, some section(s) of protective film have not yet been removed(e.g., unexposed area of test material 470). As a result of removing thewax film from these locations of the beverage container, thosecorresponding areas 460 of testing material are now capable of beingexposed to the beverage and therefore exposed to the Rohypnol. As such,to alert the user of the contamination, the exposed area of testmaterial 460 displays a visual alert (e.g., color change, striped orother pattern, etc.). Notably, according to the embodiment, anyremaining area of wax film coating the testing material (e.g., unexposedarea of test material 470) may still be an area capable of being used totest the beverage at a subsequent time (e.g., depending on how porousthe film coating the unexposed area is).

According to another embodiment, a portion of the beverage container 400may be removed and then replaced with the testing material. In theembodiment, it may be beneficial to apply another coating of a liquidresistant wax on the outer most side of the testing material to preventdripping. In the illustrative embodiment, the testing material may bepart of the inside of the beverage container, where any indication ofcontamination from the testing material may be viewed through a displaywindow 480. Preferably, the display window 480 should be of asufficiently transparent or translucent material, e.g., plastic orotherwise, that allows a user to sufficiently discern a change in thetesting material caused by beverage contamination within the beveragecontainer. This may be advantageous in embodiments such as those whereinside of the beverage container comprising the testing material is nototherwise viewable by the user (e.g., closed top beverage containers).Alternatively, the display window may be configured such that when nocontamination is detected in the beverage contained within the beveragecontainer, the display window is disguised as, for example, a logo ofthe beverage container.

FIG. 5 a is an illustrative procedure for using the beverage containerin accordance with the present disclosure described herein where the(e.g., wax) film is readily removable by the user. This illustrativeprocedure assumes a beverage is currently contained within the beveragecontainer. The procedure 500 a starts at step 505 a, and continues tostep 510 a, where at least a portion of the wax film is removed, e.g.,by the user. As noted above, the wax film prevents the beveragecontained within the beverage container from immediately contacting andreacting with the testing material lined, for example, within the innersurface of the sidewall 312, the base 310, the rim 320, or the top(e.g., as similarly shown by example in either FIG. 3 a-d and/or FIG. 4above). Thus, should the user desire to test the beverage forcontaminants, the user need only, e.g., “scratch” away or otherwiseremove the wax lining, thereby exposing the beverage to the newlyrevealed testing material. In alternative embodiments, as noted above,the scratching step is not necessarily required, since the beverage maybe automatically tested according to, e.g., how porous the (wax) filmis. Notably, in embodiments where no such film is present, step 510 aand 560 a may be skipped. Once the testing material is exposed to thebeverage, it is determined whether the testing material indicates thatthe beverage is contaminated (e.g., with a drug) in step 520 a. If yes,the procedure moves to step 530 a where the testing material indicatesthat the beverage is not safe to drink. Any type of indication or alertis contemplated where the user is made aware of the outcome of the test.For example, the indication may be visual (e.g., a color change in thetest material). However, any suitable means of indication may be used.The procedure then ends at step 540 a.

However, if at step 520 a the determination is no, the procedure movesto step 550 a where the testing material indicates that the beverage issafe to drink. Such an indication, if any, may be the absence of avisual indicator. However, any suitable indication (e.g., visual orotherwise) may be used. The beverage container may comprise multiplelocations for individual testing by scratching away the wax film fromdifferent locations as desired. This may be useful in such situationswhere the user is unsure about the accuracy of the previous test andwould like to re-test the beverage using another location. This may alsobe useful, for example, where a beverage has tested negative forcontamination at time T1, but the user believes that the beverage mayhave been subsequently contaminated at time T2. The procedure then movesto step 560 a where the user may select an unused test material portionfor another test. The procedure then loops back to step 510 a.

FIG. 5 b is an illustrative procedure for using the beverage containerin accordance with the present disclosure where at least a portion ofthe (e.g., wax) film is not required to be removed by the user. FIG. 3 bis an example embodiment which may apply to the procedure. Thisillustrative procedure assumes a beverage is currently contained withinthe beverage container. The procedure 500 b starts at step 505 b, andcontinues to step 510 b, where a first section of the beverage container332 is selected to check for a visual indication of contamination of thebeverage within the beverage container. As noted above, the filmprevents the beverage contained within the beverage container from(immediately) contacting and reacting with the testing material lined,for example, within the inner or outer surface of the base 310, the rim320, the sidewall 312, or the top (e.g., as similarly shown by examplein either FIG. 3 a-d and/or FIG. 4 above). Thus, should the user desireto test the beverage for contaminants, the user need only, e.g.,“scratch” away or otherwise remove the wax lining, thereby exposing thebeverage to the newly revealed testing material. However, thisscratching step is not necessarily required in order to test thebeverage due to the porous nature of the film as described above. Forexample, as discussed above, each section may allow for varying timeswhen the beverage may pass through the film to the testing material,e.g., depending on the porous nature, type, and/or amount of the filmused at each section. Once the testing material of the first section ofthe beverage container is exposed to the beverage, e.g., either byremoving the film or due to the porous nature of the film, it isdetermined at T1 whether the beverage container at the first sectionindicates that the beverage is contaminated with a drug in step 520 b.If yes, the procedure moves to step 530 b where the beverage containerindicates that the beverage is not safe to drink. Any type of indicationor alert is contemplated where the user is made aware of the outcome ofthe test. For example, the indication may be visual (e.g., a colorchange in the test material). However, any suitable indication techniquemay be used. The procedure then ends at step 540 b.

However, if at step 520 b the determination is no, the procedure movesto step 550 b where the beverage container at section one indicates thatthe beverage is safe to drink. Such an indication may be the absence ofa visual indicator. For example, if the beverage container is white bydefault, and if the visual indicator is a color change, then thebeverage container remaining the default color (e.g., white) may beconsidered an absence of a visual indicator. However, any suitableindication method or technique may also be used. The procedure thenmoves to step 560 b where the user may wait and select/view the nextsection to check for a visual indication showing whether the beverage isnow contaminated at T2. Notably, as discussed above, the next section ofthe beverage container may automatically re-test the beverage, or allowthe user to remove the film to more immediately expose the beverage tothe testing material. The procedure then loops back to step 520 b.

In an example embodiment, the beverage container is the testing materialand vice versa (e.g., replacing a portion of the beverage container withthe testing material, directly attaching the testing material to aportion of the beverage container, etc. as illustratively discussed withregard to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 a), as opposed to prior testing devices/kitslike the one described above where the testing material is part of anentirely separate component, and where the separate component must thenbe connected to the beverage container. As such, the user illustrativelyis not required to remember to bring a test kit component or to use thetest kit. However, in alternative embodiments, the testing material mayalso be provided separately from the beverage container (e.g., with orwithout the wax lining applied to the testing material) to be affixed orbonded to the beverage container at a later time (e.g., using anadhesive or other suitable material). For example, one side of thetesting material may comprise the adhesive, while the other side maycomprise the wax lining. In the embodiment, it may be advantageous tohave the adhesive be resistant to liquid so as to prevent the beveragefrom circumventing the wax film to the testing material. Providing thetesting material separately may be useful, inter alia, for example,where the beverage container (e.g., beer glass, porcelain coffee mug,etc.) is not conventionally disposable as is, e.g., a paper cup. Forinstance, a public bar using their own glasses to serve alcohol maybenefit from an embodiment where the separate replaceable testingmaterial lines the glasses instead of requiring the bar owner to acquirethe disposable beverage containers, where the testing material is“built-into” the beverage container. That is, a used testing material inthe non-disposable beverage containers may be replaced with a newtesting material.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer 700 that may be used in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. An indicator (e.g., recognitionsite for one or more substances) may be combined (e.g., incorporated)onto a polymer from which the beverage container is made.Illustratively, this may be accomplished, e.g., by direct modificationof the polymer 720 from which the plastic (and/or other material) in thebeverage container (e.g., wall surface 715) is made. While FIG. 7 isdescribed in terms of the polymer in a specific portion of the beveragecontainer, e.g., wall surface 715, any or all portions of the beveragecontainer may also be used (including within wall 715). As such, thedescription of using any specific portion of the beverage containershould be taken as example only. A polymer, as is known to those skilledin the art, is broadly described as a linear (although it need not belinear) molecule comprising repeating structural “units” (e.g.,monomers). For example, polyvinyl chloride, or PVC (e.g., white plastictypically used to make pipes for cold water return in homes), may bedescribed as a polymer comprising repeating units of vinyl chloridemonomers that are linked, e.g., serially via chemical bonds to form along, “spaghetti-like” molecule. A polymer generally may contain pendantchemical groups on each repeat unit at which an indicator may beincorporated. Illustratively, according to one or more embodiments, theindicator may be pre-attached to the monomer prior to polymerizationand/or post-attached after the polymer has been made.

Although FIG. 7 illustrates “linear” polymers typically used inindustry, those skilled in the art will appreciate that linear polymersalso can be cross-linked to form two-dimensional and three-dimensionalpolymers. As such, any particular description of a “linear” polymer orotherwise should be taken as example only and not to otherwise limit thescope of the disclosure. Cross-linking is a technique known to thoseskilled in the art, for example, to make plastics derived from polymersstronger and less flexible. Cross-linking may illustratively beaccomplished by incorporating monomers that have pendant chemical groupsthat are reactive such that the pendant chemical groups on differentsections of the linear polymer chain react with one another on contactto form a chemical bond. Cross-linking of the linear polymer chains inthat manner results in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional polymer.Cross-linking requires that at least some of the pendant chemical groupson the linear polymer are reactive such that they cross-link the polymerchains. That can be accomplished using different methods known to thoseskilled in the art.

For example, a first illustrative method is to prepare the polymer usinga mixture of at least two different monomers, one of which may containthe indicator or a reactive chemical group that will bind to theindicator, the other of which contains a reactive chemical group that iscapable of cross-linking the polymer chains by forming a chemical bond.That concept may be illustrated in FIG. 10 described further below for ablock co-polymer. In that example, the sections 1015A of polymer aregenerated from monomers containing the indicator as a pendant group.Incorporating reactive pendant groups into the sections 1015B of polymerwould result in a cross-linked polymer. In this illustrative embodiment,some of the monomers contain the indicator, and some contain thecross-linking groups. The first illustrative method may differ, forexample, from that described in another illustrative method describedbelow, in which the monomers contain both the indicator and a reactivechemical group capable of cross-linking. While some specific examples ofaccomplishing cross-linking are illustratively described, those skilledin the art will appreciate that other cross-linking methods may also beused. As such, any particular cross-linking example should be taken asexample only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure. For example,cross-linking may be accomplished using block co-polymers where themonomers containing the indicator and those containing the cross-linkinggroups are segregated. Cross-linking also may be achieved by simplymixing the different monomers such that the resulting polymer chaincontains a random, disordered arrangement of the different monomersinstead of segregated sections of like monomers. Cross-linking byforming a chemical bond between pendant reactive chemical groups may beaccomplished by having the pendant chemical groups react with oneanother via chemical reactions that differ from those used to link themonomers into polymers. As can be appreciated by those skilled in theart, there are many commonly known reactive groups for this.Cross-linking reactions also generally require two different reactivechemical groups for a reaction to occur between the two groups.Generally, according to one or more illustrative embodiments, one typeof reactive chemical group is not reactive with itself. There are knownexamples where chemical groups do react with themselves, and arecontemplated with one or more illustrative embodiments.

Another illustrative example method is to prepare a polymer using atleast two different monomers, one of which features a pendant groupcomprising both the indicator and also a reactive chemical group capableof cross-linking, and the other of which comprises the indicator and achemical group capable of cross-linking. In this illustrative method,the monomers contain both the indicator and the reactive cross-linkinggroup in the same pendant group. This concept may be illustrated in FIG.8 where 805 is the indicator/recognition site, and 810 is the linkerillustratively comprising the cross-linking group. Both illustrative (orother known) methods may result in formation of a linear polymercontaining the indicator than can undergo cross-linking via reaction ofthe cross-linking groups to form a two-dimensional or three-dimensionalcross-linked polymer.

According to one or more illustrative embodiments, such as the one shownin FIG. 8, indicator 805 may be attached (e.g., combined) onto abackbone 815 of a polymer 800 (e.g., a pure polymer) of a beveragecontainer via linker 810. One or more indicators 805 exposed on thesurface of the beverage container may be available to react with anyspecific drug (or other specific substance) that comes into contact withthe surface (indicators). The repeat unit (e.g., the monomer startingmaterial that may be used to make the polymer) is indicated in brackets,where n indicates the number of repeat units in the polymer.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing exampletechniques/procedures 900 for preparing polymers of a beverage containerwith attached (e.g., combined) indicators 905 that may be used accordingto one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Illustrative example 1,according to one or more embodiments, comprises using a monomer (e.g.,the starting material used as the repeat unit in the backbone of thepolymer) that may contain a selected indicator bound to the monomer viaa chemical bond (e.g., pre-attachment). As alluded to throughout, theappropriate indicator(s) may be selected depending on, e.g., thespecific/particular substance(s) that is to be detected. The chemicalbond may consist of any type of chemical bonding interaction such as anelectrostatic bond, a covalent bond (a normal chemical bond between twoatoms (e.g., that are not metals)), an ionic bond (a bond betweenpositively and negatively charged ions), or a weaker intermolecularbond/force (e.g., hydrogen bond, dipole-dipole bond, ion-dipole bond,van der Waals bond, etc.) that results in attachment of the indicator tothe monomer. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any otherpre-attachment techniques may also be used that results in attachment ofthe indicator to the monomer. As such, any particularly disclosedpre-attachment technique should be taken as example only and not tolimit the scope of the disclosure. Formation of the correspondingpolymer via polymerization of the monomer (e.g., a chemical reactionbetween the monomers that links them together) may create a plastic(and/or other material) with surface-exposed indicators. Formingpolymers via a chemical reaction between monomers (e.g., radicalpolymerization, cationic polymerization, anionic polymerization, orother types of polymerization reactions, etc.) is well-known in the art.

Illustrative example 2, according to one or more embodiments, comprisesusing a monomer with a reactive linking group to which the indicator canbe attached after the polymer is prepared (e.g., post-attachment).Post-attachment of the indicator to the reactive linking groups on thebackbone 915 of the polymer may be achieved, for example, byreacting/exposing the polymer to indicator 905. For attachment to occur,the indicator should preferably contain a reactive group that will forma chemical bond with the reactive linking groups. The chemical bond mayconsist of any type of chemical bonding interaction such as anelectrostatic bond, a covalent bond (a normal chemical bond between twoatoms (e.g., that are not metals)), an ionic bond (a bond betweenpositively and negatively charged ions), or a weaker intermolecularbond/force (e.g., hydrogen bond, dipole-dipole bond, ion-dipole bond,van der Waals bond, etc.) that results in attachment of the indicator tothe polymer (e.g., of the beverage container). Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that any other post-attachment techniques may also beused. As such, any particularly disclosed post-attachment techniqueshould be taken as example only and not to limit the scope of thedisclosure. Notably, example 2 (e.g., attaching an indicator to thepolymer/plastic after the beverage container has been manufactured)offers a potential advantage of requiring less of the indicator, e.g.,since attachment of the indicator will (mostly, if not entirely) occuronly on the surface of the beverage container, rather than within theinterior of plastic/polymer. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat attachment (e.g., post-attachment) of the indicator may occur atdifferent phases of the manufacturing process (e.g., any time betweenthe beginning and end of manufacturing of any portion of the beveragecontainer that may eventually be used to create a beverage container ofthe present disclosure. For example, according to one or moreillustrative embodiments, post-attachment during the manufacturingprocess time to the finished plastic container (e.g., after thepolymer/plastic is processed to form a beverage container) may result inattachment of the indicator on the surface of the beverage container.However, some indicator also may diffuse into the finished plastic andbecome attached within the interior of the plastic as well as on thesurface. According to one or more alternative embodiments, attachment(e.g., post-attachment) of the indicator may be carried out during themanufacturing process time after the polymer is prepared but before thepolymer is processed to form, e.g., a beverage container.Post-attachment to the polymer (not the finished plastic) mayillustratively result in attachment of the indicator at all or most ofthe linker sites. In that case, the indicator may be present both at thesurface and within the plastic when it is prepared from the polymercomprising the post-attached indicator.

Both examples, whether carried out before and/or during and/or after thebeverage container has been manufactured/created, may result in apolymer (e.g., when a polymer is illustratively used) with attachedindicators exposed at least at the surface (and/or according to one ormore embodiments, within the interior of the plastic). Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that, in any illustrative embodiment throughoutwhere appropriate, the indicator may be applied/attached/combined,incorporated, etc. to any portion of the surface of (and/or within) thebeverage container and may be done using any technique that brings theindicator into contact with the plastic/polymer (or other usablematerial) such that the indicator is enabled to react to form a chemicalbond (e.g., via spraying, dipping, rolling, stamping, printing,evaporating, etc.). Moreover, other differing techniques are alsocontemplated. For example, in some embodiments, surface treating fillersthat may be compatible with the base polymer such that the fillerparticles may be coated with the indicators may be used. The fillers maybe mixed with the base polymer for processing and/or as an interiorlayer. Thus, any description of any particular indicator “attaching”(e.g., combining/incorporating, etc.) technique described throughout, orotherwise (e.g., carona treatment, electromagnetism, using ferrouscompounds, etc.) (or combination thereof) should be taken as exampleonly and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Similarly to the illustrative description of, e.g., FIG. 2 above, suchtechniques may allow application of the indicator onto definedregions/sections of the beverage container to enable different (oridentical) indicators to be patterned on its surface. According to oneor more illustrative embodiments, testing material of the beveragecontainer may be made using either example for multiple drugs ratherthan a single drug, e.g., by incorporating a “cocktail” mixture ofdifferent indicators into or onto the surface of the polymer/plastic viapre-attachment and/or post-attachment and/or by patterning differentindicators in different and/or same locations on the surface of thepolymer/plastic. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that thematerial of the beverage container may be made to test/monitor for asingle drug or multiple drugs. As used throughout, unless otherwisesuggested, the term indicator may be used to denote one or moreindicators.

Notably, the ability of the human eye to detect a colorimetric response(e.g., change in color) of the beverage container (e.g., via acolorimetric response of the indicator) may depend on multiple factors.For example: the amount (e.g., concentration) of the drug in thebeverage, the amount (e.g., concentration) of the indicator(s) presenton or in the material of the beverage container, the amount of the drugthat binds to the indicator(s), the sensitivity of the indicator to thedrug and the corresponding response of the indicator (e.g., ability tocause a dramatic “detectible” color change). As such, if the response is“detected” on the chemical level but not sufficiently so that it may bedetected by the human eye, or if the response is detected by the humaneye but the response is desired to be more prominent, more indicatorsmay be added onto or within the material of the beverage containerand/or the thickness of the coating with the indicator(s) may beincreased. Advantageously, taking at least the above factors intoconsideration, the present disclosure makes it is possible to vary theconcentration of the indicator, not only to detect nearly any relevantdrug concentration (e.g., a concentration resulting in a noticeableeffect to whomever consumes the drug), but also as a tool to measurewhen at least a minimum concentration of a substance is reached. As anexample, the beverage container may be used to detect whether or not acity water supply contains too much, e.g., fluoride or other substance(e.g., when a concentration threshold has been met), or if a maximumdosage of a medication has been reached, etc.

According to one or more alternative embodiments that may help a visualreaction be more detectible to the human eye, the beverage container maybe made to fluoresce in response to detecting a drug in the beverage.This may be particularly advantageous in situations where thesurrounding environment is dark or where a UV light source (e.g., blacklight or similar 254 nanometer or other UV wavelength light) may readilybe available (e.g., night club, fraternity party, etc.). As can beappreciated by those skilled in the art, a fluorescent response maydepend on the indicator, the materials used to anchor the indicator tothe beverage container, and possibly the contents of the beverage. Theconcept of using a fluorescent indicator may not differ inimplementation from other embodiments described throughout, in that,generally, e.g., a different type of indicator (e.g., fluorescent) isused instead. One potentially functional difference may be thatfluorescent indicators may not be specific for a particular compound(e.g., a drug) the way, say, Zimmerman's Test Reagents are selected fordetection of diazepam (e.g., that reagent is specific for that class ofcompounds). Fluorescent indicators, however, tend to react with any UVabsorbing compound. Thus, the use of fluorescent indicators may producehigher amounts of false positives. With that being said, the use offluorescents may be used as a means of making indicators that areselected specifically for a particular compound be more visible on thesurface of the beverage container, rather than being used as thedrug/substance indicator itself (e.g., as a contrasting background forthe selected drug indicators). Other examples of visual changes mayinclude the use of, e.g., infrared, ultraviolet, chemiluminescence,phosphorescence, 4D “smart objects” such as the kind developed by MITthat may self-assemble or change shape when confronted with a change inits environment (e.g., the presence of a particular substance), etc. orany other type of visual that may help detect the presence of one ormore substances.

An illustrative technique that may be used to implement the fluorescentembodiment(s) is called Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), which is wellknown in the art, used to create a TLC plate. The concept of TLC may beapplied to the material of the beverage container. That is, the materialin the wall of the beverage container may contain an absorbent material(e.g., paper, plastic, silica gel, alumina, zeolite, or otherporous/absorbent material, etc.) with an embedded and/or attached(chemically bonded) fluorescent indicator. Alternatively, the materialin the wall of the beverage container may contain an embedded and/orattached (chemically bonded) fluorescent indicator on the surface in theabsence of an absorbent material. In addition, the material in the wallof the beverage container preferably has a light color so that a changein color under a UV lamp may be seen better with the human eye.Advantageously, TLC plates are generally white.

Compounds on the TLC plate may also be visualized on the TLC plate inother ways. For example, if the compound is highly colored, it mayappear as a colored spot all on its own without using a UV lamp. Asanother example, compounds on a TLC plate may also be visualized byexposing the plate to a chemical reagent that reacts with the compoundon the plate, causing a color change. However, the latter an approachmay not be the most preferable since the walls of the beverage containermay need to be sprayed with a chemical reagent, which may bring upsafety issues. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any methodof using fluorescents (and/or any other techniques to create a bettercontrasting background) with the beverage container may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, enhancements, such as adding pigments orlight-scattering sensors to the polymer, may help to provide sufficientcolor density. Other example techniques, such as varying the surface(texture) of the material, may also help to provide sufficient colordensity.

According to one or more illustrative embodiments, a “drop” of asolution containing a compound or mixture of compounds may be placedonto the surface of a thin layer (e.g., less than 1 mm) of fine silicagel (glass) particles that are bonded to plastic or glass-backed plate.The TLC plate may then be placed, e.g., vertically, into a beakercontaining an organic solvent. On contact with the TLC plate, thesolvent may wick up the TLC plate in a manner similar to water wickingup a paper towel. Illustratively, as the solvent moves up the plate, itinteracts with the compounds spotted on the silica gel, pulling them upthe plate. The compounds are attracted to the silica gel and to thesolvent as it moves by. As the compounds are dragged along the plate bythe solvent, they may move at different rates, causing them to separatebased on differences in their polarity. Once the solvent moves most ofthe way up the plate, the plate is removed from the solvent and dried.UV light may then be used to visualize (see) the separated compounds. A254 nanometer ((nm) wavelength light) UV lamp is held over the TLCplate, where the compounds appear as colored spots on the plate.

While one or more illustrative embodiments are described in terms of a(pure) polymer, it is contemplated that a co-polymer (or cross-linkedco-polymer noted above) may also be used. FIG. 10 is a schematic blockdiagram of a co-polymer 1000 of a beverage container that may be usedwith one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Repeat units of thedifferent polymer segments are indicated in brackets, where n and mindicate the number of repeat units in each segment. A co-polymerdiffers from a pure polymer, e.g., in that it may feature alternatingsegments of two or more different polymers (e.g., polymer A and polymerB). Therefore, some or all of the disclosure applied to the pure polymermay also be applied to a co-polymer. For instance, similarly to thedescription of FIG. 8, indicator 1005 may be attached (e.g., secured,affixed, combined, incorporated, etc.) onto the backbone of a co-polymer(e.g., 1015A of polymer A) via linker 1010, and similar to the abovedisclosure of FIG. 9, indicator 1005 may be introduced on the polymereither via pre-attachment and/or post-attachment. Moreover, testing formultiple drugs rather than a single drug can be carried out byincorporating a “cocktail” mixture of different indicators into theplastic/co-polymer, e.g., by incorporating a range of differentindicators into different and/or same segments and/or as mixtures withinthe same segment of the co-polymer.

The properties of the different segments, such as the lengths, may bevaried to control the material properties of the correspondingplastic/polymer. For example, if polymer B segments impart specificdesirable properties to the polymer (e.g., strength, handling of thematerial, etc.), then the relative amount of the polymer B segments maybe increased (or decreased) while still allowing attachment of indicator1005 on the polymer A segments. While polymer backbone 1015B isdescribed without an indicator, this need not be a requirement. Forexample, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other indicators(e.g., fluorescent) may still be attached, or alternatively as notedabove, reactive chemical cross-linking groups may illustratively beattached to create a stronger plastic/polymer. As such, the use of onlya single polymer with indicators (or otherwise) should be taken asexample only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer 1100 that may be used in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. According to one or more embodiments, thematerial of wall 1115 of the beverage container may be coated with, forexample, a second material 1120 (e.g., polymer) comprising an indicator(not shown) to combine or otherwise make the material of the beveragecontainer comprise the testing material. According to anotherillustrative embodiment, the material of the walls of the beveragecontainer may be coated with, for example, a flexible adhesive film 1120containing the indicator to make the material of the beverage containercomprise the testing material. A thin layer of a polymer or co-polymer(or other appropriate material) containing the indicator may bedeposited onto wall 1115. The indicator-polymer coating 1120 may beprepared at least according to any of the examples described herein(e.g., pre-attachment and/or post-attachment), however, any currentlyestablished or future established means that may enable combining thematerial of the beverage container with the testing material (e.g.,indicators) may also be used.

As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, incorporatingindicators into the material from which the walls of the container aremade, or incorporating indicators into a material that is applied as acoating to the walls of a beverage container are possible non-limitingexamples of implementing the present disclosure. Thus, as usedthroughout, the beverage container may be considered to comprise amaterial (e.g., “the material of the beverage container”), whetherbeing, e.g., a material in or of the wall of the beverage container(e.g., 720, 1125, 1325, etc.) (e.g., at any phase of the manufacturingprocess time of the beverage container and/or material of the beveragecontainer), or whether being, e.g., a material (e.g., 1120, 1320, orSAM, etc.) (e.g., at any phase of the manufacturing process time of thebeverage container and/or material of the beverage container) that is tobe later applied/coated/layered/adhered, etc. onto the beveragecontainer.

According to one or more alternative embodiments, different indicatorsmay be introduced by applying a plurality of thin layers of polymercoatings 1120 that each contain the same or different indicator. Thus,the description of using a specific number of layers should be taken asexample only. Preferably, the over-layers of polymer coatings (e.g.,coatings closer to the inner surface of the beverage container incontact with the beverage held within the beverage container) arepermeable to the beverage and to the different drugs being detected inorder for the drugs to penetrate to the layer/coating containing theselected corresponding indicator to maximize response of the indicator.

According to yet another embodiment, a thin plastic/polymer and/or othermaterial (e.g., including but not limited to materials describedthroughout containing the indicator) may be combined or applied to thesurface of a plastic/metal/glass/paper container as a flexible film withan adhesive backing. Similarly to one or more other embodiments, theflexible adhesive film need not coat the entire surface of the beveragecontainer uniformly, and may be applied horizontally as a strip eitheraround the inside of the container, or vertically running from top tobottom, or in any other orientations and/or patterning. Similarly to oneor more other embodiments, the application of multiple adhesive filmscomprising different indicators or mixtures of indicators may allowtesting for multiple substances (e.g., drugs, bacteria, or any othersubstance capable of detection).

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative polymer 1200comprising an embedded indicator that may be used in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the disclosure. Combining by embedding anindicator within a polymer (e.g., a water swellable polymer) may besimilar to coating the material of the beverage container wall(s) withanother material (e.g., polymer layer) to which indicators areattached/combined via a chemical bond as described above. However,according to another illustrative embodiment, instead of combining byattaching the indicator via a chemical bond to the polymer material(e.g., of the beverage container wall and/or of a layered coating of thebeverage container wall), the indicator 1205 is embedded within thepolymer 1210. Embedding organic compounds (e.g., indicator 1205) withinplastics of polymers may be achieved, for example, by forming theplastic from the polymer in the presence of the organic compound in aconcentration such that the compound becomes trapped, or embedded,within the plastic as it forms. Detection of a contaminated beverage mayillustratively be achieved by allowing the contaminate (e.g., drug) inthe beverage (while the beverage is within the beverage container) todiffuse into the polymer coating to reach the indicator.

Depending on the size of the indicator compared to the polymer in whichit is embedded, it is possible that the indicator may leach out of thepolymer at some appreciable rate. However, the rate of leaching will below or nonexistent (e.g., over the time frame for drinking one or morebeverages). According to one or more alternative embodiments, leachingmay be reduced or completely obviated, for example, by making theindicator larger using known techniques (e.g., attaching a material tothe indicator). As a result, the indicator may still manifest a colorchange in the presence of the appropriate substance, but the increasedsize of the indicator (compared to the material within which theindicator is embedded) may prevent it from leaching through the polymer.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any other suitabletechniques for reducing and/or preventing leaching may also be used.Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that otherattaching/combining/incorporating techniques may also be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, any description of anyparticular indicator combining technique described throughout, otherwiseknown currently or in the future to those skilled in the art, orcombination thereof, should be taken as example only and not to limitthe scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative beveragecontainer 1300 that may be used in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. According to one or more illustrativeembodiments, in no particular order, an indicator 1305 may be mixed intoa porous material 1320, where a thin coating of the porous material maybe deposited onto the wall surface 1315 (comprising material 1325) of a,e.g., plastic/metal/glass/paper, etc., beverage container. As such, thewall surface 1315, and therefore the beverage container, mayillustratively comprise material 1320. Illustratively, the porousmaterial may be any of a variety of organic and/or inorganic materialsand/or hybrid organic/inorganic materials that exhibit porous behaviorsuch that the material (e.g., 1320) is permeated by pores or channelsthat allow, for example, an indicator to be incorporated within or onthe surfaces of the porous material, and drug (or other contaminate)molecules contained in a beverage which is also within the beveragecontainer) to diffuse into the pores/channels and react with theindicator 1305.

Illustratively, any type of porous material 1320 may be used to carryout the functions of the disclosure. Thus, any description of particularporous material(s) should be taken as example only and not to limit thescope of the disclosure. For example, different classes of porousmaterials may include, but are not limited to porous syntheticpolymers/co-polymers, porous biopolymers (e.g., cellulose and otherpolymers of carbohydrates (e.g., sugars)), polymers of amino acids(e.g., proteins/enzymes), polymers of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA/RNA),porous gels (e.g., hydrogels, organogels, zerogels), porous inorganicminerals (e.g., zeolites, silica gel, nanoporous silica, mesoporoussilica, microporous silica, porous glass), and porous hybridorganic/inorganic materials such as coordination polymers commonlyreferred to as metal-organic frameworks. Porous materials derived fromcombinations (mixtures) of different types of porous materials are alsocontemplated (e.g., zeolites embedded within or attached to the surfaceof a synthetic polymer). According to one or more embodiments, indicator1305 may be chemical bonded to the chemical constituents within or onthe surface of porous material 1320 (as noted above), or the indicatormay be embedded/trapped within porous material 1320 (as noted above).

Described below is an example of a coating consisting of a porousmaterial containing an indicator using porous silica. As noted above,any appropriate type of porous material may be used to carry out thefunctions of the disclosure. Thus, any description of particular porousmaterial(s) (e.g., porous silica) should be taken as example only andnot to limit the scope of the disclosure. Porous silica comprises silica(SiO2), which is a major component in, e.g., glass and sand. Porosity insilica may result at least in part from nano-scale or micro-scalepores/channels present in the material that permeate the structure,thereby allowing solvents such as water and/or other molecules presentin water to diffuse into the pores/channels within the silica. Attachingand/or embedding indicators in porous silica offer several advantages.For instance, silica is cheap, easy to work with, forms thin filmseasily (e.g., TLC plates), may be dispersed as porous particles inpolymers to form flexible films, and forms pores/channels that are verypermeable to water and other aqueous solutions.

Notably, the chemical structures, physical properties, level ofporosity, mechanical stability, etc. of porous silica may varyconsiderably. For example, crystalline porous silica with propertiessimilar to glass would be more appropriate for bonding well to glasscontainers. Softer, more flexible films of porous silica particlesdispersed in polymers or elastomers (e.g., rubbery gel materials) wouldbe more appropriate for bonding well to plastic containers. As such,depending at least on such things as the material of the beveragecontainer, a preferred porous material may be selected. As with theembodiments described throughout, porous silica and/or films containingporous silica may be applied uniformly to the surface of the beveragecontainer and/or patterned on the surface in specific locations.

According to one or more alternative embodiments, indicators may bedirectly attached (e.g., secured, affixed, coupled, combined,incorporated, etc.) to a surface of the beverage container, e.g., asself-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and/or as thin films. FIG. 14 is aschematic block diagram showing an example technique/procedure 1400 forattaching indicators 1407 to the surface of, e.g., metal, glass, plasticor paper beverage container via chemical bonding between a reactivelinking group 1410 and an attachment site 1405 on the surface (e.g., ofthe beverage container) according to one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. Attachment site(s) 1405 on the surface illustrativelyrepresent an atom or group of atoms (e.g., in the case of a metal) or achemical group (e.g., in the case of glass, plastic, and/or paper) thatform a chemical bond with reactive linking group 1410 on indicator 1407.FIG. 14 may differ from one or more embodiments described throughout,for instance, as it involves attaching indicators directly to thesurface of a metal (e.g., gold, silver, etc.), a silica (e.g., glass), apolymer (e.g., plastic or otherwise), and/or a paper material, etc. of abeverage container. Those skilled in the art will recognize that theimplementation of SAMs is well known and may be implemented using anycurrently established or future established means, such as theillustrative examples described further below. Therefore, any specificimplementations of SAMs described should be taken as example only andnot to limit the scope of the disclosure. Generally, however, theprocess comprises an indicator 1407 with a linking group 1410 that willattach to the surface by forming a chemical bond (described above) orany other chemical bond/reaction with the surface 1415 that results inattachment of indicator 1407 to the surface of, e.g., metal, glass,plastic and/or paper as illustratively represented by 1420. That processis referred to as self-assembly and the resulting molecular film isreferred to as a self-assembled monolayer, or SAM.

The term SAM generally refers to a molecular film that is a monolayerthe thickness of, e.g., a single molecule. In some cases, however, theabove process results in a multi-layer thin film that is the thicknessof, e.g., two or more molecules (e.g., a bilayer, a trilayer, etc.).Multilayer films generally form when there is a strong attractiveinteraction (e.g., an intermolecular bond) between the portions of themolecules exposed on the surface of the SAM. As a result, additionallayers may be able to bind on top of the first layer (e.g., the SAM).For example, the naturally occurring amino acid cysteine is known toform bilayers rather than monolayers when cysteine is exposed to goldsurfaces. In the case of cysteine, the “over-layer”, or 2nd layer, mayform because there is a strong attraction between the amino and acidorganic groups in cysteine that cause a second layer to stick on thefirst layer. The result is a bilayer in which the first layer (e.g., theSAM) anchors the molecules firmly to the gold surface by forming astrong chemical bond; weak attractions between the surface and moleculesin solution may cause a second layer to attach on top of the first. As aconsequence, according to one or more illustrative embodiments, directattachment of indicators to create SAMs may result either in a SAM (amonolayer) of attached indicators, or a bilayer or multilayer composedof two or more layers of attached indicators. Typically, a SAM is amonolayer and as such direct attachment of indicators to surfaces may bereferred to as forming thin films. However, the term SAM (or thin film)may be interpreted to encompass either monolayers (SAMs), bilayers,other multilayer films, or any combination thereof.

As with one or more of the illustrative embodiments describedthroughout, SAMs may be applied uniformly to the surface of the beveragecontainer and/or patterned on the surface in specific locations, e.g.,by applying them with a roller, a stamp coated with a solution of theindicator, or by spraying them onto the surface (e.g., ink jetprinting). Illustratively, the application of an indicator with a rolleror via spraying will do the same thing by patterning the indicator inthe region on the surface in contact with the roller or under the nozzleof the sprayer. Illustratively, molecules that are desired to bepositioned on surfaces with precise control may be patterned usingmicrocontact printing, a technique developed by George Whitesides.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing an example SAM 1500 on amaterial 1525 (e.g., metal, glass, plastic, paper, etc.), where the SAMillustratively comprises an indicator 1505, chemical linker 1510 (e.g.,hydrocarbon group), and (reactive) chemical group 1520 according to oneor more embodiments of the disclosure.

An example of SAMs on gold is described below. However, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that other metals with similar properties (e.g.,silver, copper, etc.) may also be used. As such, the description ofcreating a SAM on any particular surface material 1525 (e.g., gold)should be taken as illustrative only and not to limit the scope of thedisclosure. Illustratively, virtually any organic molecule that containsan exposed chemical group 1520, such as a sulfur-containing group (e.g.,a thiol (SH) or a disulfide) may spontaneously bond to the surface ofgold. Upon exposure to the gold surface, the sulfur-containing moleculesmay bind to the gold surface and may then form a uniform layer ofmolecules covering the gold surface that is the thickness of, e.g., asingle molecule as it stands up from the surface. For example, dipping agold-coated glass microscope slide into a solution of a thiol mayproduce a thin film of molecules attached to the gold surface via agold-sulfur chemical bond. SAMs may be used as a means to attach avariety of different types of molecules (e.g., small organic molecules,proteins, DNA, polymers, sugars, etc.) to gold surfaces. Those skilledin the art will recognize that SAMs may be utilized to modify thesurface properties of materials and for applications that may requireattachment of molecules to surfaces. For example, SAMs may be used toattach and pattern biomolecules such as DNA on gold in order to create a“lab on a chip”. SAMs may also be used to pattern ion-selective organicmolecules on gold in microfluidic devices to create sensors for bloodanalytes. Only a very thin layer (e.g., 0.1-100 nanometers thick) ofgold may be required on the surface, and therefore is not costprohibitive. Gold surfaces for making SAMs, generally, may be preparedby evaporating or plating a small amount of gold onto glass or silicon,as well as a wide variety of other known and suitable substrates.Attachment of indicator 1505 to a gold surface may require the presenceof a (reactive) sulfur-containing group 1520 on the indicator.Sulfur-containing groups may be introduced onto indicator 1505 usingknown methods of organic synthesis. Gold generally is not transparentand may not bond well to other materials such as glass or plastic.However, if a thin enough layer of gold (e.g., less than 100 angstroms,or 0.1 nanometers) is applied, however, gold may become opticallytransparent. Moreover, adhesion of gold films on materials it does notstick (e.g., bond) well to may be improved by applying a thin layer ofanother metal, such as titanium or chromium, and then applying gold ontothat metal.

An example of SAMs on glass is described below. However, those skilledin the art will appreciate that other materials with similar propertiesmay also be used. As such, the description of creating a SAM on anyparticular surface material 1525 (e.g., glass) should be taken asillustrative only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure. Similarto the concept of SAMs of molecules (e.g., indicators) on gold, asimilar concept may be applied on glass surfaces. For example, moleculeswith one or more reactive silanesilyl groups (groups such astrihalogenated silanes or trialkoxysilanes that contain reactive siliconatoms) may “spontaneously” form, e.g., a silicon-oxygen chemical bond tothe glass surface such that the glass becomes covered with a “thinlayer” (e.g., a monolayer one molecule in thickness) of the molecules.SAMs on glass are less costly to prepare and have the advantage thatglass, and thus the SAM, is transparent. According to one or moreembodiments, SAMs of indicators on glass may be preferred for attachingindicators to glass beverage containers.

An example of SAMs on plastic is described below. However, those skilledin the art will appreciate that other materials with similar propertiesmay also be used. As such, the description of creating a SAM on anyparticular surface material 1525 (e.g., plastic) should be taken asillustrative only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure. SAMs ofmolecules (e.g., indicators) on plastics is similar to the principle forSAMs on gold and glass surfaces. For example, formation of a SAM onplastic may require that the polymer of the plastic contain one or moresurface-exposed reactive groups and that the molecule to be attachedcontain one or more reactive groups that may form a chemical bond withthe reactive groups on the plastic.

An example of SAMs on paper is described below. However, those skilledin the art will appreciate that other materials with similar propertiesmay also be used. As such, the description of creating a SAM on anyparticular surface material 1525 (e.g., paper) should be taken asillustrative only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure. SAMs ofmolecules (e.g., indicators) on paper, or cellulose is similar to theprinciple for SAMs on glass and plastic surfaces. For example, formationof a SAM on paper may require that cellulose or other chemicalconstituents of the paper contain one or more surface-exposed reactivegroups and that the molecule to be attached contain one or more reactivegroups that may form a chemical bond with the reactive groups on thepaper. A major chemical component in paper is cellulose, which is abiopolymer composed of the sugar glucose. Glucose contains many alcohol(OH, or hydroxyl) groups similar to the surface of glass. Therefore,molecules with reactive groups that form a chemical bond to the surfaceof glass (as noted above) may also form a chemical bond to the cellulosein paper.

Direct attachment of indicators onto metal, glass, plastic, and papersurfaces potentially offers advantages compared to other illustrativeembodiments described throughout. For example, in no particular order,those potential example advantages may include: (1) no polymer or gelcoating is required; (2) very small amounts of indicator are required toform SAMs; and (3) application of molecule/indicators can be controlledspatially on the surface more easily, e.g., using a well-known“stamping” technique or other suitable technique. In an embodiment usinga SAM, the indicator has a high sensitivity and corresponding responsethat can be more easily observed by the human eye.

Due at least to various “quality control” purposes known to thoseskilled in the art, any of the above noted processes (or otherprocesses) of making the material of the beverage container comprise thetesting material preferably would not be carried out by an “individual”end user (e.g., individual, proprietor in a drinking establishment,etc.), but rather by, e.g., a manufacturing/laboratory process or thelike. However, it is contemplated that one or more of the techniquesdescribed throughout may be performed (e.g., implemented) as anextension of one or more illustrative embodiments described above, bythe end user given the appropriate equipment and instruction. Forexample, the end users may purchase a “spray”, which may illustrativelycomprise either a pure liquid indicator and/or a solution of theindicator dissolved in a suitable solvent. The end user may alsopurchase an applicator, such as a spraying apparatus, designed todeliver the spray to the appropriate beverage container. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that any suitable applicator apparatus knownto those skilled in the art and/or described throughout, that may becapable of delivering the spray (e.g., pure liquid indicator and/or asolution of the indicator dissolved in a suitable solvent) may also beused. Thus, the delivery of the indicator/solution need not actually bedelivered literally in spray form. According to one or more embodiments,the applicator apparatus may comprise a pump-action bottle featuring abutton, handle, bulb, dropper, etc. that the user may operate manually,such as, a spray device containing a compressed gas, or a spray bottlefeaturing a mechanical/electrical spraying mechanism, etc.

According to one or more illustrative embodiments, in the case of a pureliquid indicator, the indicator may be delivered by the spray to thesurface as a substantially pure substance such that a small percentageof the indicator binds to the surface (e.g., the surface becomessaturated with bound indicator) leaving the majority of the indicatorunbound as a residue on the surface. The residual indicator may then berinsed off or inactivated upon contact with the beverage. According toone or more illustrative embodiments, in the case of an indicatordissolved in a suitable solvent, the indicator may be delivered by thespray to the surface as a mixture of indicator and solvent (e.g., water,or other solvent) such that a (small) percentage of the indicator bindsto the surface leaving the majority of the indicator and the solventunbound as a residue on the surface. Application of the indicator eitheras a pure liquid or as a solution will result in formation of a thinfilm of indicator on the surface, leaving residual indicator unbound onthe surface (as well as solvent if a solution is used).

According to one or more alternative embodiments, an indicator may becontained in a “dishwasher tablet” (e.g., bag/pouch) means and/or“dishwasher additive” means (or the like), such as the kindconventionally used in dishwashers to clean dishes. For example, theCascade dishwasher pouch design offered by Procter & Gamble may bealtered to contain the indicator for later application. As such, theprocess(es) of making the material of the beverage container comprisethe indicator testing material may be accomplished, e.g., by the enduser, by “washing” the beverage container in a dishwasher in thepresence of the tablet or additive. According to one or moreillustrative embodiments, the tablet and/or additive containing theindicator with a reactive chemical group may be placed in the receptaclein a dishwasher where detergent or other additives normally are placed(or any other suitable location). Upon starting the dishwasher, waterenters the dishwasher and the tablet/additive is released or exposed tothe water. The tablet/additive then dissolves into the water to form asolution of additive in water. The solution of additive in water is thenapplied to the surface of the beverage container through the normalspraying and agitation process of the dishwasher. When the solution ofindicator comes into contact with the surface of the beverage container,it reacts with the material of the beverage container and forms achemical bond on the surface or is absorbed. Advantageously, thedishwasher provides the water to form an aqueous solution of theindicator contained in the tablet/additive, and also provides thespraying/agitating action that applies the solution to the surface ofthe beverage containers in the dishwasher. Another illustrativeadvantage to using a dishwasher (or machine with the similar relevantfunctions) is that most if not all residual indicator that does not bindto or is absorbed by beverage containers may be removed during the rinsecycle of the dishwasher. Alternatively, due at least to the reasondiscussed below, it may be advantageous to have a machine with similarfunctionality of a dishwasher, but that does not always use water. Asanother illustrative alternative embodiment, a dishwasher may comprisean “indicator” cycle, where a suitable solvent is introduced instead ofwater, and where water is used, e.g., only for the final rinse cycle.

As noted above, dishwashers generally involve the use of water. Theindicator may not bind to the beverage container if the reactivechemical group in the indicator reacts with water. For example,attachment of organic compounds to glass may require the use of one ormore trihalosilyl or trialkoxysilyl groups to form a chemical bond tothe surface of glass. Those reactive chemical groups may react withwater as well as, e.g., glass, since water is similar in reactivity tothe alcohol groups exposed on the surface of glass. As a consequence,indicators with those reactive chemical groups may react with water whenthe tablet/additive dissolves. Trihalosilyl groups in particular arevery sensitive to the presence of water. Nevertheless, it may still bepossible to apply an indicator to glass containers in the presence ofwater. For example, trialkoxylsilyl groups generally react more slowlywith water compared to trihalosilyl groups. Some of the indicator maythen react with the glass containers as well as with water if asufficiently high concentration of indicator is present and delivered bythe tablet/additive. Moreover, only a very small amount of indicator isrequired to fully cover the surface of a beverage container. Thus, evenif less than, e.g., 1% of the indicator reaches the surface, that may besufficient to coat the entire surface of the container. This same issuemay hold true for other reactive chemical groups necessary for form achemical bond to other container materials such as metal, paper,plastic, etc. It may be necessary to use indicators with reactivechemical groups that are compatible with water in order to applyindicators to containers in a dishwasher setting.

While one or more embodiments may be described in terms of a polymer,those skilled in the art will recognize that any other appropriatematerial may also be used without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. Furthermore, as can be appreciated by those skilled in theart, a polymer need not necessarily be referred to exclusively as aplastic, but may also encompass a large class comprising both naturaland synthetic materials with a wide variety of properties. Furthermore,while one or more embodiments may be described in terms of a generalpolymer, those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitablepolymer (e.g., metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), branched polymers suchas star polymers, comb polymers, brush polymers, dendronized polymers,ladders, and dendrimers, etc.) may also be used without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure. For instance, polymers that may be capableof forming quaternary cations (e.g., poly(vinyl pyridine), poly(ethyleneimine), chitosan, etc.) may be used. In some embodiments, the surface ofthe material may be modified using such polymers (as well as via plasmatreating the surface of the material in an ammonia atmosphere), whichmay allow for chemical bonding (e.g., electrostatic bonding) to theanionic sulfonate forms of certain indicators. As such, any particulardescription of using a particular material (e.g., gel, metal, paper,polymer, linear, non-linear, hybrids, etc., or otherwise), should betaken as example only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

While one or more illustrative embodiments are disclosed as testing fordrugs (e.g., Rohypnol, Ketamine, GHB, etc.), those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the present disclosure may also be used to detectother substances (e.g., contaminates) in a beverage container orotherwise (e.g., food utensils, food containers, such as dishes, airfilters, contraception devices, feminine products, rubber (e.g., latex,non-latex) gloves, cloth/clothing, nail polish, lipstick, etc.). Forexample, detection of organisms may also be used to determine if abeverage (e.g., drinking water) is safe (e.g., if dangerousmicroorganisms are present). Generally, in the case of an organism, forexample, the cell surface of the organism may act similarly to a drug.The appropriate indicator, for example, protein, antibody, chemicalindicator, DNA, RNA, sugar, fatty acid, etc. may be selected thatrecognizes the cell surface of the specific organism. Alternatively, forexample, if the organism releases/secretes a waste product, chemicalsignal, or other chemicals that can be recognized by an indicator, thosecompounds similarly may be monitored. Some organisms secrete chemicalsthat enable them to bind to different types of surfaces, which may alsobe monitored. Moreover, cranberry juice may either prevent the organismsfrom sticking to surfaces or actually kill them. However, in the casewhere a compound that did the opposite (e.g., to which they wereattracted or stuck to), the organism may also be detectable with anindicator.

As another example, using, for instance, known DNA-based and proteinbased techniques, detection of one or more allergens (e.g., floral) andeven food allergens, such as a peanut allergen (e.g., Ara h1 or Ara h2)and/or peanut proteins respectively, may be accomplished. Thus,according to one or more embodiments, a utensil (e.g., fork) maycomprise a material with indicators (via, e.g., any of the techniquesdescribed throughout or otherwise) used to detect the presence of, e.g.,peanuts, in a food.

Advantageously, for example, by using the beverage container itself asthe testing material, the user is provided with a (near) effortless andcontinuous monitoring of the beverage within the beverage containerwithout such illustrative burdens required by the prior art, such as,inter alia, remembering to bring a testing kit (disguised or otherwise)with a sufficient number of testing strips, remembering to test thebeverage, and remembering to re-test the beverage at different times. Asanother example advantage, even if the user cannot distinguish betweenthe effect of the alcohol and the effect of ingesting a contaminatedbeverage, other onlookers may still notice the reaction of the beveragecontainer/testing material and provide a warning to the user.Additionally, the testing material of the beverage container (e.g., anyunused portions) may also be used to test other beverages of differentusers, such as an acquaintance that may not be in possession of thedisclosed beverage container or a testing kit.

In some embodiments, there may be more than one technique to produce anyof the above-noted polymers, which may include, e.g., solutions of waterswellable polymers. In some embodiments, these solutions may be used toproduce such things as, e.g., films/polymer matrix, that may beimpregnated (e.g., embedded) with any of the above-noted indicators,e.g., indicator dyes, food colors, etc.

In some embodiments, example “chemicals” that may be used may include,e.g., water (e.g., distilled water (e.g., food grade)), polyvinylalcohol (e.g., Alfa Aesar), Eudragit S100 (e.g., Evonik), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (e.g., ISP Tech. Inc.), plasdone K29/32, FDC Blue #1(e.g., food grade), ethanol absolute (e.g., Aldrich) PharmaceuticalGrade, dibutyl sebacate (e.g., Acros), bromophenol blue sodium salt(e.g., MPBiomedicals), or other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, equipment that may be used may include, e.g., 250ml screw top flask, Magnetic Spin Bar, Analytical Balance, VolumetricPippette, or other suitable equipment. It will be appreciated thatsimilar equipment used for larger scale production may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. As such, any equipment(described throughout) that may produce any portion of the presentdisclosure for any production sizes described throughout should be takenas an example only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Example Preparation Procedure for a 12% Eudragit S100 Solution:

It will be appreciated that 12% should be taken as an example only andnot to limit the scope of the present disclosure, as other percentagesmay also be developed. It will also be appreciated that the specificamounts/types of materials used and/or procedures used may varydepending upon desired results. As such, any specific quantities(described throughout) and procedures (described throughout) should betaken as an example only and not to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, a 250 ml screw top flask equipped witha spin bar and cap may be charged with, e.g., 220 grams of ethanol. Theethanol may be stirred until a vortex has formed. To the rapidlystirring ethanol, e.g., 30 grams of Eudragit S100 may be gradually addedover a period of, e.g., about a minute (e.g., to prevent agglomeration).Stirring of this mixture while gently heating may be continued until ahomogenous solution forms (e.g., about 8 hours). After the solutionforms, heating and/or stirring may be stopped and the solution may beleft to age at, e.g., ambient temperatures over night.

In some embodiments, after aging the solution overnight, on thefollowing day, approximately 12.5 grams of dibutyl sebacate may beadded. After the addition of the sebacate, the mixture may be stirreduntil, e.g., a homogeneous mixture is achieved (e.g., about 5 minutes).After the polymer solution is made, the mixture may be stored in, e.g.,the refrigerator until ready for use.

Example Preparation Procedure for a 20% Polyvinyl Alcohol Solution:

In some embodiments, a second 250 ml screw top flask equipped with aspin bar and cap may be charged with, e.g., 200 ml of distilled water.The water may be stirred until a vortex is formed. To the rapidlystirring water, 50 grams of polyvinyl alcohol may be gradually addedover a period of about a minute (e.g., to prevent agglomeration).Stirring of this mixture while heating at, e.g., 70° C. may be continuedovernight (e.g., about 15 hours).

In some embodiments, there may be more than one technique to produce anyof the above-noted polymers, which may include, e.g., films of theabove-noted water swellable polymer solutions. These films that may beimpregnated (e.g., embedded) with any of the above-noted indicators,e.g., indicator dyes, food colors, etc. and tested.

In some embodiments, example “chemicals” that may be used may include,e.g., water (e.g., distilled water (e.g., food grade)), 20% PolyvinylAlcohol Solution (e.g., in water), 12% Eudragit S100 Solution (e.g., inEtOH), 20% Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) Solution (e.g., in EtOH), 20% FDCBlue Solution (e.g., in Water), Ethanol Absolute (e.g., Aldrich)Pharmaceutical Grade, 0.3% Bromophenol Blue Solution (e.g., in EtOH),Tetraethyl Orthosilicate (e.g., Aldrich), Glutaraldehyde 50% Solution(e.g., Alfa Aesar) 12 Molar Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, CitricAcid, and Sodium Bicarbonate, or other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, equipment that may be used may include, e.g., 3″×5″Polycarbonate sheets, 2″×3″ glass slides, 1″×3″ glass slides, 1.5 Miltape, Magnetic stirrer, Magnetic spin bar, pH Meter, or other suitableequipment. It will be appreciated that similar equipment used for largerscale production may be used without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. As such, any equipment (described throughout) that mayproduce any portion of the present disclosure for any production sizesdescribed throughout (irrespective of whether the equipment has the sameand/or similar function) should be taken as an example only and not tolimit the scope of the disclosure.

Example Preparation Procedure of Eudragit S100 Films with BromophenolBlue:

In some embodiments, approximately 2 ml of the Eudragit S100 solutionmay be charged into a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a cap andmagnetic spin bar. To the Eudragit solution in the vial, 200 ul of a0.3% solution of bromophenol blue may be added. This mixture may thenstirred until, e.g., a homogeneous solution formed.

In some embodiments, this solution may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides (or other suitable surface) using, e.g., a3.0 mil shim. The solution may be doctored over the surface of, e.g.,the polycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glass slide. After casting thefilms, the shims may be removed and the (wet) films may be left toslowly dry over a period of about an hour prior to making observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by, e.g., soaking themin water at, e.g., pH 14, pH 8, pH 3, and pH 1, and observations may bemade over a time period of at least two hours.

Example Preparation Procedure of Eudragit S100 Films with Brillian Blue:

In some embodiments, approximately 2 ml of the Eudragit S100 solutionmay be charged into a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a cap andmagnetic spin bar. To the Eudragit solution in the vial, 20 ul of a 20%solution of brilliant blue may be added. This mixture may be stirreduntil a homogeneous solution forms.

In some embodiments, this solution may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides using a 3.0 mil shim. The solution may bedoctored over the surface of the polycarbonate sheets using a 1″×3″glass slide. After casting the films, the shims may be removed and the(wet) films may be left to slowly dry over a period of about an hourprior to making observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat, e.g., pH 14, pH 8, pH 3, and pH 1 and observations may be made overa time period of at least two hours.

Example Discussion Eudragit S100 Films Results:

In some embodiments, the Eudragit material may work well. Films maydissolve at the appropriate pH, but might not dissolve quickly enough(t<5 minutes). Thus, depending on the desired rate of the dissolution ofthe polymer when the target pH is reached, alterations may be made toachieve varying quickness of dissolution.

Example Preparation Procedure of Polyvinyl Alcohol films withBromophenol Blue:

In some embodiments, approximately 5 ml of the 20% PVA solution may becharged into a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a cap and magneticspin bar. To the PVA solution in the vial, 500 ul of a 0.3% solution ofbromophenol blue may be added. This mixture may be stirred until ahomogeneous solution forms.

In some embodiments, this solution may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides using a 3.0 mil shim. The solution may bedoctored over the surface of the polycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glassslide. After casting the films, the shims may be removed and the wetfilms may be left to slowly dry over a period of about an hour. Afterdrying, the films may be placed in an oven pre-heated to, e.g., 135° C.One set of films may be heated for an hour and another set may be heatedfor 4 hours prior to making observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat pH 14 and a pH 1 and observations were made over a time period of atleast an hour.

Example Results and Observations for Polyvinyl Alcohol Films withBromophenol Blue:

In some embodiments, the appearance of the one-hour films and four-hourfilms may be identical. Both films may be a cobolt blue in color and maybe transparent and/or translucent. When the one-hour film is placed inthe pH 1 water, the color of the film may gradually change from a deeptransparent blue to a transparent yellow color (about 1-2 minutes).

In some embodiments, when the one-hour film is placed in pH 8 water, thecolor of the film may remain blue, but the PVA may begin to dissolve andwithin 5 minutes the PVA may dissolve.

In some embodiments, when the four-hour film is placed in the pH 1water, the color of the film may gradually change from a deeptransparent blue to a transparent yellow color, the PVA may begin tosoften and dissolve after sitting in the acidic solution for about 3minutes.

In some embodiments, when the four-hour film is placed in the pH 8water, the color of the film may remain a deep transparent blue, the PVAmay begin to soften and dissolve after sitting in the basic solution forabout 3 minutes.

Example Discussion Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with Bromophenol BlueResults:

In some embodiments, PVA films impregnated with indicator dyes may befeasible and may change colors so that these materials may be used as aninsituo method for detecting changes in, e.g., pH. It will beappreciated that any of the polymers discussed throughout may includeany of the indicators discussed throughout without departing from thescope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, as will bediscussed in greater detail below, materials, such as tetraethylorthoSilicate (TEOS) and glutaraldehyde, may be used as cross linkers thatmay slow down or stop the dissolution of PVA in the test solution.

Example Procedure for Hydrolysis of TEOS:

A 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a stopper and magnetic spin barmay be charged with 23.3 grams of Tetraethylorthosilicate, 8.1 grams ofdistilled water, and 7 drops of concentrated HCL.

After the addition of the reactants is completed, the mixture may bestirred in the capped flask (e.g., while being heated on a hot plate setat, e.g., 50° C.) until the mixture goes from a cloudy suspension to aclear solution (e.g., 5 to 10 minutes).

When the mixture clarified, heating and stirring may be stopped and thefreshly hydrolyzed TEOS may be left in the stoppered vial to cool toambient temperatures.

The cooled TEOS may be stored under refrigerated conditions until readyfor use.

Example Preparation Procedure of Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with TEOS andBromophenol Blue:

In some embodiments, approximately 7 grams of the 20% PVA solution maybe charged into a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a cap andmagnetic spin bar. To the PVA solution in the vial, 1 gram of the TEOSsolution may be added. After the addition of the TEOS, the mixture maybe stirred for about 5 minutes to insure a homogenous solution forms.After 5 minutes of stirring, to the PVA/TEOS solution (in the vial) 700ul of a 0.3% solution of bromophenol blue may be added. This mixture maybe stirred until a homogeneous solution forms.

In some embodiments, this solution may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides using a 3.0 mil shim. The solution may bedoctored over the surface of the polycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glassslide. The solution may be doctored over the surface of thepolycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glass slide. After casting the films,the shims may be removed and the wet films may be left to slowly dryover a period of about an hour. After air drying for an hour, the filmsmay be placed in an oven pre-heated to, e.g., 135° C. One set of filmsmay be heated for an hour and another set may be heated for 4 hoursprior to making observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat a pH 14 and a pH 1 and observations may be made over a time period ofat least hour.

Example Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with TEOS and Bromophenol Blue ResultsDiscussion:

In some embodiments, PVA/TEOS films may be impregnated with indicatordyes, and may be viable and may change colors so that these materialsmay be used as an insituo method for detecting changes in pH. Althoughthese experiments proved the viability, more work needs to be done incontrolling the dissolution of these films. In some embodiments, as willbe discussed in greater detail below, gluteraldehyde may be evaluated asa cross linking agent.

Example Preparation Procedure of Polyvinyl Alcohol Films withGlutaraldehyde and Bromophenol Blue:

In some embodiments, approximately 4.5 grams of the 20% PVA solution maybe charged into a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a cap andmagnetic spin bar. To the PVA solution in the vial, 0.5 grams of a 50%aqueous solution of glutaraldehyde may be added. After the addition ofthe glutaraldehyde, the mixture may be stirred for about 5 minutes toinsure that a homogenous solution forms. After 5 minutes of stirring, tothe PVA/glutaraldehyde solution (in the vial), 500 ul of a 0.3% solutionof bromophenol blue may be added. This mixture may be stirred until ahomogeneous solution forms.

In some embodiments, this solution may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides using a 3.0 mil shim. The solution may bedoctored over the surface of the polycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glassslide. After casting, the films the shims may be removed and the wetfilms may be left to slowly dry over a period of about an hour. Afterair drying for an hour, the films may be placed in an oven pre-heatedto, e.g., 135° C. One set of films may be heated for an hour and anotherset may be heated for 4 hours prior to making observations. It will beappreciated that equipment (e.g., fans) may also be used for air drying.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat a pH 14 and a pH 1 and observations may be made over a time period ofat least hour.

Example Discussion of Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with Glutaraldehyde andBromophenol Blue:

In some embodiments, PVA films cross-linked with gluteraldehyde andimpregnated with indicator dyes may be used for making films that cansurvive the test solution. In some embodiments, as will be discussed ingreater detail below, greater amounts glutaraldehye under acidicconditions may be used. In some embodiments, addition of acid mayfacilitate the cross linking reaction.

In some embodiments, some of the PVA may not dissolve (e.g., whenobserved the following day), so the heating temperature may be increasedto about 85° C. and stirring may be continued. About 4 hours later, asolution may be formed. The appearance of the solution may be clear andcolorless. After the solution forms, heating and stirring may be stoppedand the solution may be left to stand at ambient temperatures untilready for use.

Example Preparation Procedure for a 20% Polyvinyl PyrrolidinoneSolution:

In some embodiments, a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a spin barand cap may be charged with 20 grams of ethanol. The ethanol may bestirred until a vortex forms. To the rapidly stirring ethanol, 5 gramsof polyvinyl pyrrolidinone may be gradually added over a period of abouta minute (e.g., to prevent agglomeration). This mixture may be stirredwhile heating at ambient temperatures until a solution formed (about 30minutes). After the solution forms, stirring may be stopped and thesolution may be left to stand at ambient temperatures until ready foruse.

Example Preparation of 0.3% Bromophenol Blue Indicator Solution:

In some embodiments, a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a spin barmay be charged with 3 ml of ethanol and 10 mg of bromophenol blue. Thismixture may be stirred until a dark yellow solution forms (about 30minutes). After the solution forms, it may be stored in the capped vialat ambient temperatures until ready for use.

Example Preparation of 20% FDC Blue Food Coloring Solution:

In some embodiments, a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a spin barmay be charged with 4 ml of distilled water and 1 gram of FDC blue #1solid. This mixture may be stirred until a cobalt blue solution forms(about 30 minutes). After the solution forms, it may be stored in thecapped vial at ambient temperatures until ready for use.

Example Discussion:

In some embodiments, one or more of the polymer solutions may be used tomake water swellable films impregnated with any of the indicatorsdescribed throughout (e.g., acid base indicators, food dyes, etc.). Insome embodiments, films may be used that may dissolve when the desiredpH is achieved. In some embodiments, water swellable films impregnatedwith acid base indicators may be used. In some embodiments, anycombination of any of the polymers described throughout may be used.

In some embodiments, there may be more than one technique used todetermine the optimal amount of dye in the water swellable film (orother example polymer).

In some embodiments, example “chemicals” that may be used may include,e.g., 12% Eudragit S100 Solution (In EtOH), 20% Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone(PVP) Solution (In EtOH), Ethanol Absolute (Aldrich) PharmaceuticalGrade, 0.3% Bromophenol Blue Solution (In EtOH), HCl Solution, SodiumHydroxide Solution, or other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, equipment that may be used may include, e.g., 3″×5″Polycarbonate sheets, 2″×3″ glass slides, 1″×3″ glass slides, 1.5 Miltape, Magnetic stirrer, Magnetic spin bar, pH Meter, or other suitableequipment.

Example Preparation Procedure of Eudragit S100 Films with BromophenolBlue:

In some embodiments, five 20 ml scintillation vials with caps andstirrers may be each charged with approximately 2 ml of the EudragitS100 solution. To the Eudragit solution in the vials, the followingamounts of a 0.3% solution of bromophenol blue may be added: to vial #125 ul, to vial 2 50 ul, to vial 3 75 ul, to vial 4 100 ul, and to vial 5200 ul. The vials may be stirred until homogeneous solutions forms(about 5 minute).

In some embodiments, the solutions may be cast on 3″×2″ glass slidesusing a 1.5 mil shim. The solutions may be doctored over the surface ofthe glass slides using a 1″×3″ glass slide. After casting the films, theshims may be removed and the wet films may be left to slowly dry over aperiod of about an hour prior to making observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat pH 14 and pH 1 and observations may be made.

In some embodiments, the amount of dye present in the film so that acolor change may be readily be seen may be in the vicinity of about,e.g., 1 to 100. Higher amounts may pose problems with leaching whilelower amount may cause difficulties in seeing the results. As discussedabove, techniques may be applied to reduce (or eliminate) the amount ofleaching that may occur with, e.g., higher amounts of dye.

In some embodiments, there may be more than one technique to producesolutions of alternate water swellable polymer solutions. Thesesolutions may be formulated with indicator dyes.

In some embodiments, example “chemicals” that may be used may include,e.g., water (e.g., distilled water (e.g., food grade)), PolyvinylAlcohol (e.g., Alfa Aesar), Eudragit RL100 (e.g., Evonik), EthanolAbsolute (e.g., Aldrich) Pharmaceutical Grade

Bromophenol Thymol Blue Sodium Salt (e.g., Sigm-Aldrich), or othersuitable materials.

In some embodiments, equipment that may be used may include, e.g.,Magnetic stirrer, Magnetic spin bar, or other suitable equipment.

Example Preparation Procedure for a 10% 60K Polyvinyl Alcohol Solution:

In Some Embodiments, a 250 ml Screw Top Flask Equipped with a Spin Barand cap may be charged with 200 ml of distilled water. The water may bestirred until a vortex forms. To the rapidly stirring water, 25 grams ofpolyvinyl alcohol may be gradually added over a period of about a minute(e.g., to prevent agglomeration). Stirring of this mixture while heatingat 80° C. may be continued 4 hours. After 4 hours, it may be observedthat very little of the polymer has dissolved, so the heatingtemperature may be increased to 95° C. This mixture may be stirred atthis temperature for an additional 5 hours. After 5 hours, an extremelyviscous solution may form, then heating may be stopped and stirring maybe continued overnight.

In some embodiments, after stirring overnight, stirring may be stoppedand the solution may be left to stand at ambient temperature until readyfor use. In some embodiments, e.g., the solution may be left to standfor two days in order to age the polymer and insure that it issufficiently (e.g., totally) hydrated.

Example Preparation Procedure for a 12% Eudragit RL100 Solution:

In some embodiments, a 250 ml screw top flask equipped with a spin barand cap may be charged with 220 grams of ethanol. The ethanol may bestirred until a vortex has formed. To the rapidly stirring ethanol, 30grams of Eudragit RL100 may be gradually added over a period of about aminute (e.g., to prevent agglomeration). Stirring of this mixture whilegently heating may be continued until a homogenous solution forms (about8 hours). After the solution forms, heating and stirring may be stoppedand the solution may be left to age at ambient temperatures over night.

In some embodiments, after aging the solution overnight, 12.5 grams ofdibutyl sebacate may be added. After the addition of the sebacate, themixture may be stirred until a homogeneous mixture is achieved (about 5minutes). After the polymer solution is made, the mixture may be storedin the refrigerator until ready for use.

In some embodiments, eudragit S100 may be used as the binding polymer.

In some embodiments, eudragit RL100 may be selected because it may bewater insoluble yet water swellable. This property may make this polymerbetter for use as a binder for indicator dyes. This polymer may be usedin the same manner as, e.g., PVA, etc.

Example Preparation of 0.3% Bromothymol Blue Indicator Solution:

In some embodiments, a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a spin barmay be charged with 3 ml of ethanol and 10 mg of bromothymol blue. Thismixture may be stirred until a dark yellow solution forms (about 30minutes). After the solution forms, it may be stored in the capped vialat ambient temperatures until ready for use.

Example Discussion for 0.3% Bromothymol Blue Indicator Solution:

In some embodiments, the indicator may be selected to detect pH changesin the range of 6.0-7.6. At pH levels below 6.0, the indicator may beyellow in color and at pH levels of 7.6 or greater, the indicator may beblue.

In some embodiments, there may be more than one technique to produce anyof the above-noted polymers, which may include, e.g., films of theabove-noted water swellable polymer solutions. These films that may beimpregnated (e.g., embedded) with any of the above-noted indicators,e.g., indicator dyes, food colors, etc. and tested.

In some embodiments, example “chemicals” that may be used may include,e.g., water (e.g., distilled water (e.g., food grade)), 10% 60KPolyvinyl Alcohol Solution (e.g., in water), 12% Eudragit RL100 Solution(e.g., in EtOH), Ethanol Absolute (e.g., Aldrich) Pharmaceutical Grade,0.3% Bromothymol Blue Solution (e.g., in EtOH), Tetraethyl Orthosilicate(e.g., Aldrich), Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Hydroxide,Hydrochloric Acid, or other suitable materials.

In some embodiments, equipment that may be used may include, e.g., 3″×5″Polycarbonate sheets, 2″×3″ glass slides, 1″×3″ glass slides, 1.5 Miltape, Magnetic stirrer, Magnetic spin bar, pH Meter, or other suitableequipment.

Example Preparation Procedure of Eudragit RL100 Films with BromothymolBlue:

In some embodiments, approximately 2 ml of the Eudragit RL100 solutionmay be charged into a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a cap andmagnetic spin bar. To the Eudragit solution in the vial, 200 ul of a0.3% solution of bromothymol blue may be added. This mixture may bestirred until a homogeneous solution forms.

In some embodiments, this solution may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides using a 3.0 mil shim. The solution may bedoctored over the surface of the polycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glassslide. After casting the films, the shims may be removed and the wetfilms may be left to slowly dry over a period of about an hour prior tomaking observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat pH 14 and pH 1 and observations may be made over a time period of anhour. The films may be evaluated at pH 3, pH 7.6 and pH 8.1

In some embodiments, the material may be used to produce an in-situmethod for detecting (e.g., pH changes) at least in aqueous solutions.In some embodiments, the rate of change may be improved by, e.g.,letting more water into the polymer (e.g., swelling). For example, thismay be done with the introduction of polymer systems that may behydrophilic in nature. In some embodiments, Polyvinyl Pyrrolidinone maybe used as a means of increasing the hydrophilicity of the films.

Example Preparation Procedure of Eudragit RL100 Films with BromothymolBlue Blended with Polyvinyl Pyrrolidinone:

In some embodiments, two 20 ml scintillation vials equipped with capsand magnetic spin bars may be each charged with approximately 2 ml ofthe Eudragit RL100 solution. To the first vial containing the Eudragitsolution, 200 ul of a 10% PVP solution may be added and to the secondvial, 2 ml of the 10% PVP solution may be added. After the addition ofthe 10% PVP is completed, the vials may be capped and stirred until ahomogenous mixture occurs. To each vial may be added the following,e.g., to the first vial, 200 ul of a 0.3% solution of bromothymol blueand to the second vial 400 ul of a 0.3% solution of bromothymol blue.After the addition of the dyes is completed, these mixtures may bestirred until homogeneous solutions forms.

In some embodiments, these solutions may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides using a 3.0 mil shim. The solutions may bedoctored over the surface of the polycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glassslide. After casting the films, the shims may be removed and the wetfilms may be left to slowly dry over a period of about an hour prior tomaking observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat, e.g., pH 3, pH 7.6 and pH 8.1

Example Discussion for Eudragit RL100 Films with Bromothymol BlueBlended with Polyvinyl Pyrrolidinone:

In some embodiments, this material in its present form may be used forproducing an insituo method for detecting (e.g., pH changes) in aqueoussolutions. In some embodiments, as will be discussed in greater detailbelow, high molecular weight PEG may be used as a means of increasingthe hydrophilicity of the films.

Example Preparation Procedure of 60K Polyvinyl Alcohol films withBromothymol Blue:

In some embodiments, approximately 5 ml of the 10% PVA solution may becharged into a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a cap and magneticspin bar. To the PVA solution in the vial, 500 ul of a 0.3% solution ofbromothymol blue may be added. This mixture may be stirred until ahomogeneous solution forms.

In some embodiments, this solution may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides using a 3.0 mil shim. The solution may bedoctored over the surface of the polycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glassslide. After casting, the films the shims may be removed and the wetfilms may be left to slowly dry over a period of about an hour. Afterdrying, the films may be placed in an oven pre-heated to 130° C. One setof films may be heated for an hour and another set may be heated for 4hours prior to making observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat a pH 14 and a pH 1 and observations may be made over a time period ofat least an hour.

Example Procedure for Hydrolysis of TEOS:

A 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a stopper and magnetic spin barmay be charged with 23.3 grams of Tetraethylorthosilicate, 8.1 grams ofdistilled water, and 7 drops of concentrated HCL.

After the addition of the reactants is completed, the mixture may bestirred in the capped flask (e.g., while being heated on a hot plate setat 50° C.) until the mixture changes from a cloudy suspension to a clearsolution (5 to 10 minutes).

When the mixture clarifies, heating and stirring may be stopped and thefreshly hydrolyzed TEOS may be left in the stoppered vial to cool toambient temperatures.

The cooled TEOS may be stored under refrigerated conditions until readyfor use.

Example Preparation Procedure of 60K Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with TEOSand Bromothymol Blue:

In some embodiments, approximately 7 grams of the 10% 60K PVA solutionmay be charged into a 20 ml scintillation vial equipped with a cap andmagnetic spin bar. To the PVA solution in the vial, 1 gram of the TEOSsolution may be added. After the addition of the TEOS, the mixture maybe stirred for about 5 minutes to insure a homogenous solution forms.After 5 minutes of stirring to the 60KPVA/TEOS solution (in the vial)500 ul of a 0.3% solution of bromothymol blue may be added. This mixturemay be stirred until a homogeneous solution forms.

In some embodiments, this solution may be cast on 3″×5″ Polycarbonatesheets and 2″×3″ glass slides using a 3.0 mil shim. The solution may bedoctored over the surface of the polycarbonate sheet using a 1″×3″ glassslide. After casting the films, the shims may be removed and the wetfilms may be left to slowly dry over a period of about an hour. Afterair-drying for an hour, the films may be placed in an oven pre-heated to135° C. One set of films may be heated for an hour and another set maybe heated for 4 hours prior to making observations.

In some embodiments, the films may be evaluated by soaking them in waterat a pH 14 and a pH 1 and observations may be made over a time period ofat least hour.

Example Discussion Polyvinyl Alcohol films with TEOS and BromophenolBlue Results:

In some embodiments, PVA/TEOS films impregnated with indicator dyes maybe used and may change colors rapidly enough so that these materials maybe used as an insituo method for rapidly detecting changes in, e.g., pH.In some embodiments, greater amounts of Tetraethyl Ortho Silicate (TEOS)may be used to slow dissolution.

In some implementations, the polymer matrix may be based on apH-independent, swellable, and water insoluble modified Eudragit RL100(or other example films). Modifications to the example RL100 may beaccomplished with, e.g., polyethylene glycol. This material may be addedto the RL100 in order to increase the hydrophylicity of the polymer.

In some implementations, a thin (e.g., 1 micron) overlay coat of, e.g.,Eudragit RL100, may be applied to the indicator film (e.g., after thefilm is cast). This may, e.g., reduce the potential of leaching of theindicator dye. This may also, e.g., increase the visibility of a colorchange due to detection of the target substance (e.g., GHB). Otherbenefits may be achieved by applying the overlay coat.

Under optimized conditions, the transparent detector strips may be castfrom, e.g., ethanolic solutions of the polymer (e.g., ca. 10% solids).Casting conditions may include, e.g., 1.5-3 mil thick shims (40-80micron). A glass slide to doctor the solution over the substratesurface. After casting, the wet films may be dried using a steady streamof heated air, although the wet films may also be dried by othertechniques, such as by their natural environment (e.g., without a deviceto heat the air). The final film thickness of the dry films in someimplementations may range from, e.g., 0.15-0.3 mil (4-8 micron), howeverit will be appreciated that other thicknesses may be used. In someimplementations, simply by the properties of the film(s) discussedthroughout or otherwise (e.g., testing material), adhesion to the glasssubstrate (or other substrate material) may be achieved without applyingadhesion promoting treatments to the substrate. In some implementations,the adhesion promoting treatments may be used. In some implementations,the final dye concentration in the films may be about 1% of the totaldry solids content in the film, just as an example.

In some implementations, due to the buffering effects of citric acid orother substances (e.g., carbonation/carbonic acid), a higherconcentration of the contaminate may be required to bring any“meaningful” change of the pH (e.g., for beer over 4.5) to cause a colorchange. However, in some implementations, the properties of the polymermatrix may be adjusted to affect the desired shift in the pH.

For example, in some implementations, higher levels of PEG 3.5 may beused to help with “solubilizing” of the dye in the polymer matrix basedon some effects of detergents reported for other matrixes incorporatingthe pH indictors. For instance, in some implementations, using 15%solution of PEG 3.5 may improve the shift in the target pH range, and anindicator (e.g., Bromophenol Blue) may display a color transition at pH5.5 (yellow-to-lilac) that shift to blue-violet hues at a higher pH. Forexample, detection the pH transition in beer from pH 4.6-5 to 5.3-5.5may be triggered by the addition of, e.g., 1 g of GHB in 16 oz of beer.

In some implementations, the base polymer solution may be prepared by,e.g., mixing 0.8 ml of 10% freshly prepared ethanol solution of EudragitRL100 (<2 weeks old) and 0.2 ml of 10% ethanol solution of PEG 3.5 K. Tothis solution, 0.1 ml of the 1% ethanol (or propylene glycol for poorlysoluble indicators) solution of a pH indicator may be added, vortexedand cast on the 1×3 inch glass slides, 1.5 mil wet (ca. 0.15 mil dry).The slides may be dried using, e.g., a hot air blower for 60 s. For thepropylene glycol containing films, the drying time may be extended to 3min. Films may be further aged for 1 hour at ambient conditions. The pHindicator load in the polymer films may be, e.g., ca. 1% (w/w).

In some implementations, the base polymer solution may be prepared bymixing 0.8 ml of 10% freshly prepared ethanol solution of Eudragit RL100(<2 weeks old) and 0.2 ml of 15% ethanol solution of PEG 3.5 K. To thissolution, 0.1 ml of the 1% ethanol solution of the Bromophenol Blue maybe added, vortexed briefly and cast on the 0.5×1.5 inch white plasticstrips, 1.5 mil wet (ca. 0.15 mil dry). The strips may be dried using,e.g., a warm air blower for 60 seconds. The films may be further agedfor 1 hour at ambient conditions. The pH indicator load in the polymerfilms may be, e.g., ca. 1% (w/w).

In some implementations, a transition color-changing pH in the modifiedformulation may be established at, e.g., 5.3 (yellow-to lilac).Increasing pH may lead to color intensification and may shift toblue-violet hues starting at, e.g., pH 6-6.5. Several beer brandsinvestigated when used freshly open bottles may display pH of 4.6-5.1and maintain the yellow color of the film. Adding 1 g of GHB in 16 oz ofbeer may thus result in pH increases to 5.3-5.5 (e.g., target range forGHB) that may be detected by the new formulation. It will be appreciatedthat similar modifications may be made to adjust (e.g., increase,decrease) the target pH range depending on such things as the substancedesired to be detected as well as the material causing the buffering. Assuch, the specific technique (and amount) of adjusting for the effectsof buffering should be taken as an example only and not to limit thescope of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, any of the polymers/films discussed throughout maybe used for embedding indicators, chemically bonding indicators, orcombination thereof, and in any fashion as described above or otherwise.For example, as may be shown by example only in FIG. 2, in someimplementations, multiple indicators that are configured to test for thesame substance (e.g., GHB), may be used simultaneously. For example, afirst indicator for GHB (indicator X) may be used in section 232, asecond indicator for GHB (indicator Y) may be used in section 234, and athird indicator for GHB (indicator Z) may be used in section 236, etc.This may make detection of GHB more accurate (e.g., if only oneindicator changes, then perhaps it is a false positive, but if two ormore indicators change, then there is a higher likelihood that GHB ispresent in the beverage).

Continuing with the above example, if indicators X, Y, Z are pH basedindicators, then these indicators may help show a change in pH, whichmay indicate that GHB has been added in the beverage (although some orall indicators in this example or any other example throughout need notbe pH based, and may be any combination of any of the indicatorsdescribed throughout or otherwise). For example, assume that indicator Xhas a pH range of 3-5, indicator Y has a pH range of 5-7, and indicatorZ has a pH range of 7-9. In the example, an uncontaminated mixed drinkmay have a pH range of 6, which may cause indicator Y to change color(e.g., as a false positive). However, if GHB is then added, the pH ofthe mixed drink may then be 7.5, causing indicator Z to change color.Thus, in the example, by using multiple indicators (e.g., pHindicators), it may be possible to discern false positives byidentifying which indicators change color when the drink is made (e.g.,the starting point where indicator Y changes color), and lateridentifying if any additional indicators later change (indicating theaddition of GHB where indicator Z changes color). In someimplementations, one or more sections (e.g., section 234) may bedesigned such that once the starting point is reached (e.g., when theinitial pH reading of the drink is shown by the indicators when thedrink is first made), section 234 may then be effectively “sealed off”from coming into contact with any additional portion of the beverage inthe beverage container. In that example, if section 234 did not changecolor at the starting point, but then would have changed color with theaddition of GHB, section 234 would not then change color since it wouldbe sealed off from coming into contact with the GHB in the beverage.This may help the user remember what the starting point (e.g., pH) ofthe beverage is initially, such that any additional changes in theremaining indicators may be easier to determine that GHB has been added.In some implementations, section 234 may be labeled for the user as thestarting point.

In some implementations, the indicator's specificity and robustness ofdetection of one or more substances, e.g., GHB, in various populardrinks including alcoholic beverages, food, or otherwise, may beimproved. For instance, to improve the specificity of detection (e.g.,the reduction or elimination of false positives and/or false negative),the material/indicators of the beverage container (e.g., cup,straw/stirrer, glass, etc.) may rapidly identify the presence of, e.g.,GHB, at concentrations ranging from, by way of example only, 0.5 to 2mg/ml. In some implementations, this may be achieved with, e.g., in thecase of GHB detection, an indicator that is a GHB immunoassay (e.g.,enzyme, antibody, etc.), as noted above. It will be appreciated thatother immunoassay indicators may be developed for other substances(e.g., drugs, allergens, organisms, etc.), and as such, the use of a GHBimmunoassay indicator should be taken as an example only and not tolimit the scope of the disclosure.

It will be appreciated that there may be numerous approaches todeveloping the above-noted GHB immunoassay indicator, but for simplicitypurposes, the description will discuss integration (e.g., of thebeverage container) with use of a lateral flow technology to identifythe target substance(s)/chemical(s). For example, in someimplementations, a capture/detection antibody pair indicator may beused, where the capture antibody may be immobilized (e.g., in theportion/section/reading window of the beverage container shown byexample only in FIG. 2) while the labeled (e.g., non-toxic dye)detection antibody may be free in beverage solution. In the example, ifthe target (e.g., GHB) is present in the drink (e.g., beveragesolution), it may be bound by the detection antibody to form a coloredtarget-antibody pair. Further in the example, this colored complex maybe “captured” by the immobilized antibody located in the above-notedreading window/portion of the beverage container containing theindicator. Further in the example, at least one antibody may pick up atleast one part of the molecule, while the other one may pick up another.In some implementations/embodiments, binding to the target molecule maylead to immobilization of the colored antibody in theportion/section/reading window of the beverage container. In someimplementations, absence of the target molecule may leave the detectionwindow blank (e.g., no color change). Referring at least to FIG. 16, anexample schematic of the above-noted GHB immunoassay indicator (e.g.,GHB immunoassay indicator 1600) is shown. In some implementations, thebeverage testing may be implemented by generating polyclonal antibodiesagainst, e.g., GHB, for the purpose of developing the above-notedindicators for integration with the above-noted beverage container (orotherwise).

In some implementations, an immunization protocol may be designed togenerate such antibodies. For example, in some implementations, thetarget compounds may be coupled to an immunogenic protein. In theexample, a series of immunization and test bleeds to confirm theproduction of specific antibodies against the target(s) may beconducted. In some implementations, an immunization schedule may extendover a period of, e.g., 118 days. However, the titer testing may startat day 36. In some implementations, generation of the bindingantibody(s) to GHB may include, e.g., preparation of the immunogenicconstructs, testing the titers, modification of the immunogenicconstruct in iterative fashion (if necessary), purification of thetarget antibody(s), conjugation of the target antibody(s) to the dye,combining the reagent in a function assay on the cellulose-based filter.It will be appreciated that the use of cellulose-based filter is byexample only, and that any of the above-noted materials (e.g., polymers)may be used to integrate the antibody indicator using one or more of theabove-noted techniques without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

While there have been shown and described illustrative embodiments usinga beverage container, it is to be understood that various otheradaptations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure. For example, the embodiments have been shown anddescribed herein where a wax film protecting the testing materialprevents the beverage contained within the beverage container fromimmediately contacting and reacting with the testing material lined withthe beverage container. However, the embodiments of the disclosure intheir broader sense are not so limited to beverage containers, and may,in fact, be advantageously used to line, e.g., a beverage stirrer, or abeverage straw, or (food) utensil (e.g., fork, spoon, knife, chopsticks,etc.), food containers (e.g., bowls, plates, food storage containers,etc), contraception devices (e.g., condoms, etc.) and feminine products(e.g., tampons, sanitary napkin, etc.) to test for sexually transmitteddiseases such as AIDS/HIV, genital herpes, cervical cancer, genitalwarts, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other diseases), rubber(e.g., latex, non-latex) gloves, such as those used by doctors, to testfor the same or other patient related diseases, counter-tops to test forbacteria, such as salmonella, toilets, etc. For example, the straw maybe lined with the testing material and the wax. As another example, afork may be lined with (e.g., comprise) the testing material todetermine if a substance (e.g., food allergen, bacteria, spoilage suchas rotten meat or milk, etc.) is present in, e.g., food. This wouldallow, e.g., the straw, the stirrer, and the utensil, etc., to functionas both a conventional straw/stirrer/utensil, etc. and as the testingmaterial to attain none, some or all of above example advantages.

In some implementations, and referring at least to FIG. 17, the testingmaterial may include, e.g., a molecularly imprinted polymer. AMolecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP), such as MIP 1700, may include apolymer that has been created using any known molecular imprintingtechnique (e.g., self-assembly method, covalent method, hierarchicalimprinting method, polymerization packed bed method, ATRP, RAFT, etc.),that leaves cavities in a polymer matrix with affinity to a chosen“template” molecule (e.g., any of the above-described example substancesor otherwise). The process may involve initiating the polymerization ofmonomers in the presence of a template molecule that is extractedafterwards, thus leaving complementary cavities behind. These polymersmay have affinity for the original molecule.

In some implementations, the cavity may be filled with, e.g., a similarsubstance that at least has a similar taggant molecular structurecapable of fitting in the cavity, which may include a colored materialattached to the similar substance. For instance, when the testingmaterial of beverage container comes into contact with the substance(e.g., GHB), the similar substance in the cavity with the attachedcolored material may “bleed” or leach out of the material (e.g., fromthe cavity) as it is replaced by the GHB. As such, a visible colorchange may be seen as the testing material itself (and therefore thebeverage container itself) changes color as a result of the attachedcolored material leaching out of the beverage container. For instance,assume for example purposes only that the testing material (e.g., of thebeverage container) without the attached colored material is, e.g., awhite background, but when the similar substance with the attachedcolored material is in the cavity, there is a, e.g., red background. Inthe example, when GHB comes into contact with the testing material, thesimilar substance and the attached colored material may bleed out of thecavity, leaving the white background (or at least enough of the whitebackground that it is visible to the naked eye to warn the user ofcontamination). In some implementations, the testing material of thebeverage container may be considered the indicator. In someimplementations, the similar substance, the attached colored material,and/or the testing material of the beverage container may be consideredthe indicator.

In some implementations described throughout, because the testingmaterial of the beverage container may be constantly in contact with thebeverage in the beverage container (or at least the remaining beverageexcluding the portion of the beverage already consumed/drank by theuser), the beverage container may constantly test and retest the samebeverage portion (e.g., the remaining beverage portion in the beveragecontainer), which may be different than requiring the user to activelysample and test only the portion of the beverage extracted from thebeverage container (e.g., via a single use capillary tube or othersingle use devices), as sampling from a portion of the total beveragemay only determine whether or not GHB has been added at a time beforethe extraction occurred, but not after.

In some implementations, the attached colored material may include foodcoloring or other food grade/safe to ingest material, since the bleedingof the attached color material may bleed into the beverage. In theexample, this may allow the visible color change (e.g., bleeding) to beseen with the testing material for the beverage container itself withoutrequiring a separate device to extract a portion of the beverage andseparate it away from the rest of the beverage to try and view if theliquid (as opposed to the testing material of the beverage containeritself) has changed color, since the color change in the liquid may bethe result of toxic materials that should not be consumed. As a result,at least because the attached color material bleeding into the beverageitself may be safe to consume, the testing material of the beveragecontainer itself that may change color as a result of the bleeding maybe visible to the user (e.g., the color changing testing material may beon the inside of a plastic/glass cup, on the outside and/or inside of astraw/stirrer, etc.). In some implementations, the colored material maynot be required to be attached to the similar substance if the similarsubstance itself already has a visible color to the naked eye wherebleeding of the similar substance would have a similar effect asdiscussed above (e.g., leaving the white background (or at least enoughof the white background that it is a visible color change to the nakedeye to warn the user of contamination).

In some implementations, the similar substance (and/or the attachedcolor material and/or an alternative attached material) may include asubstance that has a very distinct (e.g., sour, bitter, sweet, etc.)taste to it. For example, the substance may include similar (e.g., foodgrade) material used in specialty nail polish made to break the habit ofnail biting due to the bad taste of the material. In the example, whenat least the bad tasting portion of the material is bled into thebeverage (e.g., as a result of GHB displacing it from the cavity), thetaste of the beverage itself may noticeably change to thereby provide anadditional/alternative method of indication (e.g., taste) to alert theuser if the beverage has been contaminated. In some implementations, thebeverage container (e.g., drinking straw/stirrer) may include the badtasting material at least on the inside of the straw, which may delivera more concentrated (and noticeable) change in taste of the beveragewhen the bad tasting material is bled into the beverage and consumed bythe user via the straw. In some implementations, the bad tastingmaterial on the outside of the beverage container (e.g., straw). Othersubstances that may provide a noticeable change in taste may also beused without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

In some implementations, as noted throughout, other examplecontaminates/substances may be detected without departing from the scopeof the disclosure. For instance, another example substance may include3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol. 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol may generally bedescribed as an example substance (e.g., “skunked substance”) that maybe found in a “skunked” beverage (e.g., beer), which may occur when thebeer is exposed to sunlight. Other “skunked substances” may be found ina skunked beverage as well, and may include “pre-skunked substances”(e.g., substances that may be created during the process of creating3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol or substances that may be created when beer isexposed to sunlight). The term skunked substances and pre-skunkedsubstances may be used interchangeably. In the example, the beveragecontainer (e.g., beverage container generally used with beer, such as abeer bottle, plastic cup, glass, etc.) may include the testing materialto detect a substance, such as 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, or at least athreshold amount of 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, that may be present in a“skunked” beer, to provide a visual indication from the beveragecontainer (e.g., including the cap/cover of the beverage container) whenthe beer has become skunked. In some implementations, this may be used,e.g., for quality control during the manufacturing and/or point of sale.It will be appreciated that other beverages may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

As another example, the testing material may include anoxidation-reduction indicator, such as a redox indicator (e.g., based ona specific electrode potential). In some implementations, the redoxindicator may be independent or dependent upon pH and/or may produce areversible and/or irreversible color change. For instance, a beverage(e.g., beer) may taste “stale” due to the level of oxidation, which maybe increased by such things as having a beer go from cool to warm andback to cool, or simply being in an open container for too long. In theexample, the beverage container (e.g., beverage container generally usedwith beer, such as a beer bottle, plastic cup, glass, etc.) may includethe testing material to detect the level(s) of oxidation to provide avisual indication(s) from the beverage container (e.g., including thecap/cover/cork, etc. of the beverage container in some implementations)when the beer has become stale (e.g., based on a specific pre-determinedelectrode potential threshold). It will be appreciated that otherbeverages, including wine, fruit juices, milk, etc., may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

In some implementations, the visual indication may include varyinglevels of freshness/staleness and may include timing visuals. Forinstance, assume for example purposes only that when a bottle of wine is6 months from expiring (e.g., going bad), the level of oxidation presentin the wine is X percent, and when the bottle of wine is one month fromexpiring, the level of oxidation present in the wine is Y percent. Inthe example, the wine bottle (and/or cap/cover/cork, etc.) may includethe testing material to detect one or more of the levels of oxidation toprovide a visual indications from the wine bottle (or wine glass, etc.)when the wine has a level of oxidation at X percent and has 6 months (orless) to expiration, and/or when the wine has a level of oxidation at Ypercent and has 1 month (or less) to expiration, and/or when the winehas a level of oxidation at Z percent and has expired. In someimplementations, the visual indication may include, e.g., a message thatthe wine has expired, the time left until expected expiration, such as 6months, 1 month, etc, change in the intensity of a pre-existing color,or other visual indication discussed throughout. This may provide one ormore advanced and/or time indicative warnings to the user (via thevisual indication) to use the wine before it expires and/or provide awarning to the user not to use the wine due to its expiration. It willbe appreciated that any number of various other intervals (e.g., hours,days, weeks, months, years, etc. or combinations thereof) may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. It will also beappreciated that other substances indicative of wine (or otherbeverage/food) freshness may also be detected without departing from thescope of the disclosure. For example, trichloroanisole (TCA) or othermolds, brettanomyces or other yeasts, acetic acid bacteria or othermicrobe, sulfur compounds, levels of cork taint, etc. may also bedetected to indicate freshness without departing from the scope of thedisclosure.

Another example contaminate/substance may include alcohol (e.g.,ethanol). For instance, the testing material of the beverage containermay include any known indicator that provides a visual indication whenalcohol is detected. As discussed throughout, the beverage container mayprovide a visual indication in the presence of alcohol (e.g., in aqualitative and/or quantitative manner). In some implementations, thebeverage container (via the indicator) may provide the visual indicationin the presence of a pre-defined threshold level of alcohol and/or mayprovide the visual indication in the presence of any level of alcohol.In some implementations, alcohol may generally be defined as an organiccompound whose molecule contains one or more hydroxyl groups attached toa carbon atom. In some implementations, as will be discussed below,alcohol may include ethanol alcohol, as well as congeners.

In some implementations, the example contaminate/substance may includecongeners. A congener may generally be defined as a substance other thanethanol alcohol produced during fermentation and/or distillation of thebeverage, e.g., during production. These substances may include but arenot limited to things such as other alcohols (e.g., fuselalcohols/oils), aminos, acetone, acetaldehyde, esters, tannins, andaldehydes (e.g., propanol, furfural, glycols, ethyl acetate). Othernon-limiting examples of congeners (e.g., alcohol congeners) mayinclude, e.g., 2-methyl-1-butanol, sometimes called “active” amylalcohol, isoamyl alcohol, also known as isopentyl alcohol, isobutylalcohol, and n-propyl alcohol, methanol, propanlol, butanlol,butan-2-ol, isobutanol, 2-methylbutan-1-ol and 3-methylbutan-1-ol.

Congeners may be at least partially responsible for the taste, aroma andcolor of beverages (e.g., alcoholic beverages). For example, somebeverages, such as rum, whisky (e.g., bourbon), some vodkas (e.g.,incompletely rectified vodka), wine, beer (e.g., ales) and ciders, mayhave relatively high concentrations of congener alcohols as part oftheir flavor profile. However, in other beverages, such as korn, vodka,and lagers, the presence of congeners may be considered a fault. Justlike each type of alcoholic beverage (or non-alcoholic beverage) mayinclude their own specific “flavor profile” (e.g., the types and/oramounts of congeners and/or other ingredients in the beverage), eachrespective brand of alcoholic beverage (or non-alcoholic beverage) mayhave their own proprietary “brand profile” (e.g., the types and/oramounts of congeners and/or other ingredients in one brand of thebeverage compared to another brand of the same/similar beverage). Insome implementations, the “brand profile” may generally include anything(e.g., one or more substances) that may identify a beverage as aparticular brand of the beverage, which may include but is not limitedto, e.g., distinguishing a particular brand of the beverage from anotherbeverage brand, identifying whether a particular brand of the beveragehas been tampered with by, e.g., a person diluting the particular brandof the beverage with another beverage (e.g., a similar beverage from acompetitor, water, etc.), etc.

For instance, an indicator may be associated with a brand profile toidentify a brand of the beverage. For example, and using only congenersfor example purposes only, brand X's rum may have a brand profileincluding, e.g., congener A, congener B, and congener C. By contrast,brand Y's rum may have a brand profile including congener A, congener B,and congener D. In some implementations, the beverage container (e.g.,cup, glass, bottle, etc.) for brand X may include a material with one ormore indicators specific to some or all of brand X's brand profile(e.g., an indicator specific to one or more of congener A, congener B,and congener C). Assume for example purposes only that the brand X brandprofile only includes congener C. In the example, assume that when abeverage matching the brand X brand profile is present in the beveragecontainer (e.g., a beverage with congener C), a visual indication (e.g.,at least a portion of the logo of brand X) would appear on the portionof the beverage container with the above-noted material with thecongener C indicator specific to brand X's brand profile to show thatthe beverage is identified as the brand X beverage. Further in theexample, assume that the same beverage container is now replaced withbrand Y's rum, which may be a lower quality rum. In the example, thelack of congener C from brand Y's brand profile (and thus from brand Y'srum) may cause a visual indication (e.g., the logo of brand X) todisappear on the portion of the beverage container with the above-notedmaterial with the congener C indicator specific to brand X's brandprofile to show that the beverage is not identified as the brand Xbeverage. In the example, the beverage container for brand X may providea visual indication, e.g., of fraud, to detect when another brand's rum(or other beverage) has been placed or diluted within the beveragecontainer for brand X. It will be appreciated that non-beveragecontainers may similarly be used to provide a visual indication, e.g.,of fraud without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

It will also be appreciated that the brand profile may include fewerindicators than there are substances in the brand profile and/or thatthe brand profile may include fewer substances than are actually presentin the brand of the beverage. For instance, in the above example, brandX's rum has a brand profile with three substances (e.g., congener A,congener B, and congener C), where brand Y's rum also has a brandprofile with three substances (e.g., congener A, congener B, andcongener D). In the example, because both brand's rum have congener Aand congener B, having a brand profile with an indicator for congener Cmay be sufficient to identify the beverage as brand X's rum (e.g., andnot brand Y's rum). In the example, it may not be necessary to have abrand X profile with an indicator associated with each substance presentin brand X's rum (e.g., congener A, congener B, and congener C), andmay, in some implementations, be sufficient to have a brand X profilewith an indicator associated with only part of the substances present inbrand X's rum (e.g., congener C) that identifies the beverage as brandX's rum. As such, any description of using any particular number ofindicators associated with a brand profile, and/or having a brandprofile that includes any particular number of substances present in thebrand of the beverage, should be taken as an example only and not tootherwise limit the scope of the disclosure.

In some implementations, other examples of brand profiles may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, thebrand profile may include concentration threshold levels of congeners.For instance, assume for example purposes only that both the brand Xbrand profile and the brand Y brand profile have congener C and furtherassume that the brand X brand profile includes 4% of congener C, wherethe brand Y brand profile includes 10% of congener C. Further in theexample, assume that the same beverage container for brand X's rum isnow replaced with brand Y's rum. In the example, due to the thresholdlevel (e.g., concentration) of congener C from brand Y's rum exceedingthe 4% threshold from the brand X brand profile, the beverage containerfor brand X may provide a visual indication as noted above for examplepurposes only with the logo, e.g., of fraud, to detect when anotherbrand's rum has been placed or diluted within the beverage container forbrand X. As another example, the brand profile may include thresholdlevels of alcohol. For instance, assume for example purposes only thatthe brand X brand profile may include 40% alcohol (i.e., 80 proof),whereas the brand Y brand profile may include 35% alcohol (i.e., 70proof). Further in the example, assume that the same beverage containerfor brand X's rum is now replaced and/or diluted with brand Y's rum orwater. In the example, due to the threshold level (e.g., concentration)of alcohol from brand Y's rum (e.g., 35%) not meeting the 40% thresholdfrom the brand X brand profile, the beverage container for brand X mayprovide a visual indication as noted above for example purposes onlywith the logo, e.g., of fraud, to detect when another brand's rum,water, or other beverage has been placed or diluted within the beveragecontainer for brand X. In some implementations, the beverage containermay include indicators such that the proof of any beverage (e.g., mixeddrink) may be indicated on the beverage container as at least one aspectof the visual indication.

In some implementations, the visual indication may include the additionand/or removal of color of the beverage container without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the visualindication may apply to other aspects of the beverage container withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, patterns,symbols, words or otherwise may appear and/or disappear as the visualindication. As another example, the color change may be visible onlywhen seen using, e.g., UV light (as discussed above) to provide a“silent alarm” for brand X representatives to inspect their productswhere they are sold without alerting the owner of the establishment whomay be diluting brand X rum with, e.g., brand Y rum. As another example,different levels of the beverage container may include differentthreshold levels for a particular congener (e.g., the top portion mayinclude a first threshold level for congener C, and the bottom portionmay include a second threshold level for congener C). As such, the abovedescription of any particular visual appearance/disappearance changes ofany particular items and/or portions of the beverage container should betaken as example only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

As another example, the brand profile may include a “fraud” brandprofile, which may include one or more congeners (or levels of one ormore congeners or other substance) that are not present in the realbrand profile (e.g., the “real” brand profile containing the actualtypes and/or amounts of congeners and/or other ingredients present inthe brand X rum). For instance, and continuing with the above examplewhere brand X's rum has a “real” brand profile with congener A, congenerB, and congener C, the beverage container of brand X may include a“fraud” brand profile that includes an indicator for congener D, sincecongener D is not part of the “real” brand profile of brand X's brandprofile. In the example, due to the presence of congener D, the beveragecontainer for brand X may provide a visual indication, e.g., of fraud,to detect when another liquid (e.g., another brand's rum) has beenplaced or diluted within the beverage container for brand X. In someimplementations, the beverage container for brand X (or any otherequipment used during to produce brand X's rum) may be used for qualitycontrol during the production process. It will be appreciated that thebrand profile may be applicable to any alcoholic and/or non-alcoholicbeverage, and may include any substance types and/or amounts ofcongeners, non-congeners, alcohol concentrations, water, and/or otheringredients without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In someimplementations, the brand profile may similarly be used to detect theabove-noted “skunked” substances and/or oxidation level (e.g.,staleness) of a beverage, which may similarly be used as a technique ofidentifying one brand over another.

In some implementations, and as noted above, the beverage container mayinclude a test material capable of changing shape as the visualindication of detecting a substance, e.g., using 4D “smart objects” suchas the kind developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)that may self-assemble or change shape when confronted with a change inits environment (e.g., the presence of a particular substance). Forinstance, with the shape changing test materials (which may be used asat least part of the test material of the beverage container), thecontact presence of, e.g., GHB, may cause the contraction and/orexpansion at certain locations (e.g., joints, pressure points, hinges,etc.), that may cause the test material (and therefore the beveragecontainer) to morph and change shape as desired.

In some implementations, and referring at least to FIG. 18, the changein shape may result in the creation of “bumps” 1802 on the inside and/oroutside of the beverage container (e.g., beverage container 1800). Thismay provide the user with the ability to feel the visual indicator whenthe substance is detected, which may be beneficial in numerous examplesituations (e.g., where a color change may be difficult to see). In someimplementations, the change in shape may cause, e.g., the straw (e.g.,straw 1900) to narrow at least a portion of itself (e.g., via hinge(s)1804 or swelling) to reduce or prevent (e.g., block) the beverage frombeing consumed through the straw. In some implementations, the change inshape may cause, e.g., a straw/cup to create holes to reduce itseffectiveness to function and/or drain the beverage from the beveragecontainer. It will be appreciated that various other example changes inshape may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Assuch, the disclosure of the above shape changes should be taken asexample only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

In some implementations, and referring at least to FIG. 18, the changein shape may result in the creation of “bumps” 1802 on the inside and/oroutside of the beverage container (e.g., beverage container 1800). Thismay provide the user with the ability to feel the visual indicator whenthe substance is detected, which may be beneficial in numerous examplesituations (e.g., where a color change may be difficult to see). In someimplementations, the change in shape may cause, e.g., the straw (e.g.,straw 1900) to narrow at least a portion of itself (e.g., via hinge(s)1804 or swelling) to reduce or prevent (e.g., block) the beverage frombeing consumed through the straw. In some implementations, the change inshape may cause, e.g., a straw/cup to create holes to reduce itseffectiveness to function and/or drain the beverage from the beveragecontainer. It will be appreciated that various other example changes inshape may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Assuch, the disclosure of the above shape changes should be taken asexample only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The foregoing description has been directed to specific exampleembodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of thedisclosure. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingspecific example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting ofthe disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. The specific example embodiments werechosen and described in order to best explain the example principles ofthe disclosure and the example practical applications, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure forvarious embodiments with various modifications and/or any combinationsof embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus,it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the disclosure that othervariations, substitutions, combinations (e.g., of various embodimentfeatures being included or not included with any of the describedembodiments as appropriate, irrespective of whether the particularembodiment is described as using the feature(s)), and modifications maybe made to the described embodiments to create other embodiments, withthe attainment of none, some or all of their example advantages. Forexample, a feature from disclosed embodiment X may be included indisclosed embodiment Y, even if disclosed embodiment Y is not discussedas including that feature. As another example, a feature from disclosedembodiment X may be removed from disclosed embodiment X, even ifdisclosed embodiment X does not discuss being without the feature. Asanother example, any features disclosed pertaining to drinkwareembodiments (e.g., cup, glasses, bottles, cans, straws, stirrers, etc.)are contemplated as being equally applicable to the non-drinkwareembodiments, and vice versa. As another example, the “brand profile” maybe applicable to things other than beverages (e.g., food,pharmaceuticals/medications, currency, etc.). As another example, it isexpressly contemplated that the components and/or elements describedherein may vary without departing from the true spirit and scope of thedisclosure. For example, while specific types of (e.g., drug) testingmaterials have been discussed, any testing method, device or material(e.g., hydro-gel and/or other holographic support medium where ahologram may be made which may include, for instance, a native ormodified matrix with viscoelastic properties that may be altered as aresult of an interaction with a substance, electronic, etc.) suitablefor use in the disclosure is contemplated. Additionally, while only afew drugs have been described for detection, it is contemplated thatother drugs and substances, such as caffeine,pharmaceuticals/medications (e.g., sleep aids, cold aids, etc. and/ortheir individual ingredients), temperature, sulphides, lactates, ions,protons, or alcohol, may also be detected using an appropriate testingmaterial. Additionally, different film material other than wax that issuitable for use in the disclosure is contemplated. Additionally,different locations of the testing material are also contemplated. Forexample, the entire beverage container (or at least a portion thereof)exclusively may be the testing material shaped as a beverage container.Accordingly, this description is to be taken only by way of example andnot to otherwise limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is theobject of the appended claims to cover all such variations,substitutions, combinations, and modifications as come within the truespirit and scope of the disclosure. To avoid confusion, use of the term“include”, “includes”, and/or “including” may be used interchangeablywith “comprise”, “comprises”, and/or “comprising” respectively, neitherof which is meant to be closed-ended, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus configured to test a beverage forbrand verification, comprising: a beverage container configured to holda beverage, wherein the beverage container includes a material; and anindicator chemically bonded to at least a portion of the material of thebeverage container, wherein at least the portion of the material of thebeverage container includes the indicator, wherein the indicator isassociated with a brand profile that identifies a brand of the beverage,wherein the brand profile includes at least one congener to show whetherthe beverage is identified as the brand of the beverage, and wherein theat least one congener includes a substance other than alcohol producedduring at least one of fermentation and distillation of the beverage,wherein the indicator visibly reacts when the indicator is contactedwith the beverage to show whether the beverage is identified as thebrand of the beverage, and wherein the visible reaction is shown on atleast the portion of the material of the beverage container via theindicator chemically bonded to at least the portion of the material ofthe beverage container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theindicator visibly reacts when the indicator is at least one of contactedwith the substance in the beverage included in the brand profile andcontacted with the beverage lacking the substance in the beverageincluded in the brand profile.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein atleast the portion of the material of the beverage container includes afilm, and wherein the film includes the chemically bonded indicator. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brand profile further includes athreshold level of an alcohol to show whether the beverage is identifiedas the brand of the beverage.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein atleast the portion of the material of the beverage container includes amolecularly imprinted polymer.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein atleast the portion of the material of the beverage container includes aholographic support medium.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thebrand profile further includes a threshold level of the at least onecongener to show whether the beverage is identified as the brand of thebeverage.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the beverage containerincludes at least one of a cup, a glass, a mug, a can, and a bottle. 9.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brand profile further includes alevel of oxidation to show at least one of whether the beverage isidentified as the brand of the beverage and quality of the beverage. 10.An apparatus configured to test a beverage for quality control,comprising: at least one of a beverage container configured to hold abeverage, a straw, and a stirrer, wherein the at least one of thebeverage container, the straw, and the stirrer includes a material; andan indicator chemically bonded to at least a portion of the material ofthe at least one of the beverage container, the straw, and the stirrer,wherein the indicator visibly reacts when the indicator is contactedwith 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol to indicate the 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiolis present in the beverage, wherein at least the portion of the materialof the at least one of the beverage container, the straw, and thestirrer includes the indicator, and wherein the visible reaction isshown on at least the portion of the material of the at least one of thebeverage container, the straw, and the stirrer via the indicatorchemically bonded to at least the portion of the material of the atleast one of the beverage container, the straw, and the stirrer.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10 further comprising a second indicator chemicallybonded to at least a second portion of the material of the at least oneof the beverage container, the straw, and the stirrer, wherein thesecond indicator visibly reacts according to a level of oxidation of thebeverage.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least the portion ofthe material of the at least one of the beverage container, the straw,and the stirrer includes a film, and wherein the film includes thechemically bonded indicator.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein thebeverage container includes at least one of a cup, a glass, a mug, acan, and a bottle.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the beverageincludes beer.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least theportion of the material of the at least one of the beverage container,the straw, and the stirrer includes at least one of a molecularlyimprinted polymer and a holographic support medium.
 16. An apparatusconfigured to test a beverage for quality control, comprising: at leastone of a beverage container configured to hold a beverage, a straw, anda stirrer, wherein the beverage container includes a material; anindicator chemically bonded to at least a portion of the material of theat least one of the beverage container, the straw, and the stirrer,wherein the indicator visibly reacts when the indicator is contactedwith the beverage to indicate a level of oxidation present in thebeverage, wherein at least the portion of the material of the at leastone of the beverage container, the straw, and the stirrer includes theindicator, and wherein the visible reaction is shown on at least theportion of the material of the at least one of the beverage container,the straw, and the stirrer via the indicator chemically bonded to atleast the portion of the material of the at least one of the beveragecontainer, the straw, and the stirrer; and a second indicator chemicallybonded to at least a second portion of the material of the at least onebeverage container, the straw and the stirrer, wherein the secondindicator visibly reacts when the second indicator is contacted with asubstance to indicate that the substance is present in the beverage,wherein the substance includes at least one of3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, trichloroanisole, brettanomyces, acetic acidbacteria, and sulfur compounds.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein atleast the portion of the material of the at least one of the beveragecontainer, the straw and the stirrer includes at least one of amolecularly imprinted polymer and a holographic support medium.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein at least the portion of the material ofthe at least one of the beverage container, the straw, and the stirrerincludes a film, and wherein the film includes the chemically bondedindicator.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the beverage includesbeer.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the beverage containerincludes at least one of a cup, a glass, a mug, a can, and a bottle. 21.The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the beverage container includes a can,and wherein at least the portion of the material of the beveragecontainer includes at least a top portion of the can.
 22. An apparatusconfigured to test a beverage for brand verification, comprising: one ofa straw and a stirrer, wherein the one of the straw and the stirrerincludes a material; and an indicator chemically bonded to at least aportion of the material of the one of the straw and the stirrer, whereinat least the portion of the material of the one of the straw and thestirrer includes the indicator, wherein the indicator is associated witha brand profile that identifies a brand of the beverage, wherein thebrand profile includes at least one congener to show whether thebeverage is identified as the brand of the beverage, and wherein the atleast one congener includes a substance other than alcohol producedduring at least one of fermentation and distillation of the beverage,wherein the indicator visibly reacts when the indicator is contactedwith the beverage to show whether the beverage is identified as thebrand of the beverage, and wherein the visible reaction is shown on atleast the portion of the material of the one of the straw and thestirrer via the indicator chemically bonded to at least the portion ofthe material of the one of the straw and the stirrer.
 23. The apparatusof claim 22 wherein the indicator visibly reacts when the indicator isat least one of contacted with the substance in the beverage included inthe brand profile and contacted with the beverage lacking the substancein the beverage included in the brand profile.
 24. The apparatus ofclaim 22 wherein at least the portion of the material of the one of thestraw and the stirrer includes a film, and wherein the film includes thechemically bonded indicator.
 25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein thebrand profile further includes a threshold level of an alcohol to showwhether the beverage is identified as the brand of the beverage.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 22 wherein at least the portion of the material ofthe beverage container includes a molecularly imprinted polymer.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 22 wherein at least the portion of the material ofthe beverage container includes a holographic support material.
 28. Theapparatus of claim 22 wherein the brand profile further includes athreshold level of the at least one congener to show whether thebeverage is identified as the brand of the beverage.
 29. The apparatusof claim 22 wherein the brand profile further includes a level ofoxidation to show at least one of whether the beverage is identified asthe brand of the beverage and quality of the beverage.